'Enrollment fees now are pretty steep'<\/p>\n
The fact that 16 percent out of a total of 131,151 high school
\nstudents across the nation did not pass their final exams this
\nyear, has not discouraged students from continuing their studies
\nat tertiary institutions. However, they lamented about the costly
\none-time enrollment fee for new students at both state-run and
\nprivate universities, as they shared with The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Naning (not her real name), 18, is in her final year at a
\nprivate high school in Radio Dalam, South Jakarta. She lives in
\nthe area with her family:<\/p>\n
I will certainly continue my studies at university, even
\nthough I haven't passed my final exams yet.<\/p>\n
Actually, I've already taken the entrance examinations at both
\na state-run and a private university.<\/p>\n
I've even been accepted at Indonusa Esa Unggul university, a
\nprivate university in West Jakarta, for a major in nutrition. I
\npassed the entrance exam with an \"A\", and I've received a Rp 4
\nmillion scholarship -- the total enrollment fee is Rp 11 million.
\nMy parents have saved up the money, even though I'm uneasy about
\nthe high fee.<\/p>\n
But the unexpected failure in my school final exams troubles
\nme. Fortunately, the university has given me a chance to enroll
\nafter I've passed the second exam. I'm sure I'll succeed the
\nsecond time.<\/p>\n
It's really distressing, because I only failed in Math. I
\nshould have passed because my cumulative grade is 7.0. It's quite
\nshocking and embarrassing, since I am one of the top three
\nstudents in the school.<\/p>\n
It's hard to accept the fact that many of my classmates, who
\nhave lower grades than me, passed the exams.<\/p>\n
My parents and all my teachers could hardly believe that I
\ndidn't pass the finals.<\/p>\n
Aveline, 18, is in her final year at a private high school in
\nRawamangun, East Jakarta, and has just passed her final exams.
\nShe lives in Pancoran, South Jakarta, with her family:<\/p>\n
Of course, I plan to continue my studies at university.<\/p>\n
I have taken the entrance exam at the Bandung Institute of
\nTechnology (ITB) for a major in architecture. I like the field
\nbecause I'm fond of drawing.<\/p>\n
Plus, I can just imagine the brighter, future prospects of
\nmajoring in this field.<\/p>\n
I have also taken an entrance exam for the same major at
\nTarumanegara private university in West Jakarta.<\/p>\n
However, I'm a little worried if I'm accepted at ITB, a state-
\nrun institute, because of their exorbitant enrollment fee.<\/p>\n
As far as I know, I have to have at least Rp 45 million to
\nenroll at the institute as a new student. It is, of course, far
\nmore expensive compared to Tarumanegara, which charges less than
\nRp 20 million to enroll.<\/p>\n
I don't know if my parents can afford the enrollment fee at
\nITB -- they've pushed me to try my luck at Tarumanegara.<\/p>\n
My parents are open-minded and they aren't particularly
\nfocused on me studying at a state-run university. They've left me
\nfree to choose where I'll go, so long as I take responsibility
\nfor my decision.<\/p>\n
As for the new final exam system, I don't really like it. Most
\nof the students weren't prepared for the new system -- it's far
\nfrom perfect -- and made us all panic on the day of the exam.<\/p>\n
Fitri, 18, is a student at a private high school in Pasar
\nMinggu, South Jakarta, and has just passed her exams. She lives
\nnearby with her mother:<\/p>\n
Honestly, now I'm confused about what to major in at
\nuniversity. I don't know whether or not I've chosen the right
\nsubject.<\/p>\n
I took the entrance exams at the University of Indonesia and
\nat Interstudy Institute in South Jakarta, for a major in Public
\nRelations.<\/p>\n
My friend told me that a degree in public relations would give
\nme a broader career opportunity in the future. She said I could
\nwork in a hotel or a company, or become an event organizer.
\nSounds good, doesn't it?<\/p>\n
But the university enrollment fee now is pretty steep. I don't
\nfeel good that my mother alone will pay the fee -- she's a widow.<\/p>\n
My mother reassured me that she has saved about Rp 10 million
\nfor my university education.<\/p>\n
She told me that it doesn't matter whether I go to a private
\nor state-run university, as long as I study hard.<\/p>\n
-- Leo Wahyudi S.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/enrollment-fees-now-are-pretty-steep-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }