{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1360996,
        "msgid": "foreign-junkets-1447899208",
        "date": "2003-08-13 00:00:00",
        "title": "Foreign junkets",
        "author": null,
        "source": "JP",
        "tags": null,
        "topic": null,
        "summary": "Foreign junkets Public censure, in relation to foreign trips made by regional councillors under the guise of comparative studies, seems to have fallen on deaf ears. It is rather odd and unfortunate that such trips should have gained popularity with high school principals in Bandung and regional towns of West Java. According to the report, 38 high school principals in West Java are slated to travel to Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia on a study tour.",
        "content": "<p>Foreign junkets<\/p>\n<p>Public censure, in relation to foreign trips made by regional<br>\ncouncillors under the guise of comparative studies, seems to have<br>\nfallen on deaf ears.<\/p>\n<p>It is rather odd and unfortunate that such trips should have<br>\ngained popularity with high school principals in Bandung and<br>\nregional towns of West Java.<\/p>\n<p>According to the report, 38 high school principals in West<br>\nJava are slated to travel to Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia on<br>\na study tour. The study allegedly aims at \"improving the quality<br>\nof education\" in the region (The Jakarta Post, Aug. 9).<\/p>\n<p>The trips will include visits to only one school each in<br>\nSingapore, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. However, it is more the<br>\ntrips to recreational establishments, such as the show clubs in<br>\nBangkok and a highland gambling resort in Malaysia, that should<br>\nbe frowned upon, if the above visits are being made as part of an<br>\nostensibly serious study trip.<\/p>\n<p>It may be questioned as to how a study trip to only one school<br>\nin the capital of the three countries visited, during a span of<br>\nonly one week from Aug. 20 to Aug. 27, can fulfill the stated aim<br>\nof improving educational standards in high schools.<\/p>\n<p>What's more, the study trip is joined by another group of at<br>\nleast 24 local officials. Such a large group of 50 or 60<br>\ntravelers could not be effective in terms of the envisioned<br>\nobjectives, particularly because of the limited span of only one<br>\nweek's visit to three countries, leaving aside the days needed<br>\nfor traveling.<\/p>\n<p>Four high school principals have reportedly declined to go on<br>\nthe trip, arguing that the program would in fact substantially<br>\nfall short of the noble objective of improving the quality of<br>\neducation in high schools. It is regrettable that the competent<br>\nlocal authorities concerned should not have tried to assist in<br>\nfinding the possible ways and means, such as seeking consultation<br>\nand cooperation, with the endorsement of the central government<br>\nagencies, that may be obtained from eventual counterparts within<br>\nthe Association of Southeast Asian Nations' structure.<\/p>\n<p>Such an attempt should be commendable rather than following an<br>\nappalling fashion in conducting the worthy study tours proper.<\/p>\n<p>S. SUHAEDI<br>\nJakarta<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/foreign-junkets-1447899208",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}