'Education is very expensive'<\/p>\n
Education is essential for the young throughout the world.
\nHowever, not every child gets the education he or she deserves
\ndue to the expense of tuition. Some parents shared their concerns
\nwith The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Nunung, 50, has to survive with nine children after her
\nhusband died last year. She lives in Palmerah, West Jakarta, and
\nsells food at night.<\/p>\n
\"Education is very expensive for me because of the high
\ntuition fees. But I have to live with it.<\/p>\n
I feel burdened financially, particularly with my youngest
\nson's education as he is now studying in the first grade of a
\nstate senior high school.<\/p>\n
I have to spend Rp 50,000 (US$5.8) for his monthly tuition and
\nRp 120,000 for his transportation fares. In addition, I must also
\npay Rp 13,000 for his extra lessons per month and around Rp
\n48,000 as an allowance.<\/p>\n
How can I earn such money if I'm jobless. I'm just afraid if
\nmy son quits his study and does something harmful.<\/p>\n
I guess it's right to keep him on this track by supporting his
\nstudy despite the financial burden. Otherwise, it will hamper his
\nfuture.<\/p>\n
It's hard, if I may say, to pay for education. But yet, that's
\nthe only way to value our children's lives, isn't it?\"<\/p>\n
Somad, 31, lives at Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, with his
\nwife and five-year-old only daughter. He began selling siomay
\n(Chinese dumplings) two years ago after had learned the business
\nfrom his brother.<\/p>\n
\"Education for me is very important because it will make our
\nyounger generation better and brighter.<\/p>\n
Despite the fact that I'm just a vendor, I have a dream that
\nsomeday I will see my child much happier than her parents.<\/p>\n
Education is a long lasting saving that will bring good
\nfortune for my child. So, I prefer to make sacrifices to raise my
\ndaughter for her future, not mine.<\/p>\n
I'm fully aware that the tuition is not affordable for people
\nlike me. But I'm quite sure that somehow my daughter will get her
\neducation.<\/p>\n
I believe the higher the education my daughter gets, the
\neasier for her to get a better job in the future.\"<\/p>\n
Aik, 37, has been working as a scavenger for 20 years. He
\nlives in Kemandoran, South Jakarta, with his fellow scavengers.
\nTwice a month he brings money to his wife and five children who
\nlive in Bekasi.<\/p>\n
\"Talking education for me is a grievance on how to pay the
\ntuition for my children. For the rich, Rp 20,000 a month is
\npeanuts but for me it's the difference between life and death.
\nThank God, I still have the strength to support my family and
\nprovide education for my children.<\/p>\n
I'm quite happy to send them to schools in the rural areas as
\nI see the good relationship between students and teachers. They
\nstill pay respect to their teachers.<\/p>\n
Compared to schools in Jakarta, I have seen students
\ndisrespect the teachers. Sometimes they even become involved in
\nbrutal brawls.<\/p>\n
Should decent manners be taught both by parents and teachers,
\nperhaps the student brawls will die down.\" -- JP<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/education-is-very-expensive-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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