'Free final examination? It's only a rumor'<\/p>\n
Junior high school and high school students in the city recently
\nfinished taking final exams. And for the first time, the city
\nadministration provided funds to finance the exams, so the
\nstudents would not have to pay for the tests themselves.
\nUnfortunately, the money arrived late, something to do with the
\nfact that the city began distributing the funds on June 4, the
\nday after high school students began taking the tests.<\/p>\n
Alma M. Roestam, a mother of two who lives in Sunter, North
\nJakarta. Her daughter is a student at a state high school and her
\nson attends a private junior high school.<\/p>\n
\"At the beginning of the academic term, I paid Rp 3 million
\nfor my son. It covered everything, from the tuition to the exam
\nfees.<\/p>\n
I've heard that schools aren't supposed to charge students any
\nexamination fees. But that is only a rumor, as I have to pay for
\nmy children's examinations each year.<\/p>\n
Last month, I had to pay some Rp 200,000 for my daughter's
\nvarious school activities, including her examination. My daughter
\nis a student at a state school.<\/p>\n
I don't mind paying because the teachers said the
\nadministration had not disbursed the funds (for the exams). I
\nbelieve them. But what happens to other parents who can't afford
\nthe fee?<\/p>\n
My next question is to the administration: What do you do with
\nthe funds that are supposed to go to the students each year?\"<\/p>\n
Yenny, 50, is a Jakarta-born housewife whose husband earns a
\nliving performing odd jobs. She resides in the Tytyan Indah
\nhousing complex in Bekasi. Her son is in his final year at a
\nstate high school.<\/p>\n
\"I was relieved to hear my son's final exam would be free
\nthanks to financial support from the government. I had been so
\nworried that I wouldn't be able to pay the fee.<\/p>\n
But, to my surprise, the school charged students Rp 100,000,
\nwhich they claimed was for 'administrative matters', including
\nissuing diplomas. My son won't get the diploma until he pays.<\/p>\n
He also asked for Rp 250,000 to take part in a trip to Bali
\norganized by the school, but we can't afford it.\"<\/p>\n
Diah Restu Satyawati, 39, a mother of three, she lives in
\nBekasi. Her oldest son recently took final exams at his junior
\nhigh school. She works as a public relations officer at a private
\ncompany in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"Luckily, paying for my son's education is not a burden for
\nme, especially this latest issue of additional charges for the
\nfinal exams.<\/p>\n
The school just asked for the monthly tuition of Rp 130,000
\nbefore the final examination.<\/p>\n
Personally, I would complain if the school asked for money
\nwithout explaining what it was to be used for.<\/p>\n
If it is a school regulation, I would pay regardless of the
\namount. On the other hand, I would not pay even the smallest
\namount of money if the reasons for the payment were not clear.<\/p>\n
Wasilah Sutrisno, the chairwoman of the City Council's
\nCommission E for social affairs, representing the National
\nMandate Party (PAN):<\/p>\n
\"The city administration should take stern action against
\nschools who require students to pay exam fees, since the exams
\nwere financed by the administration.<\/p>\n
The administration allocated more than Rp 10 billion for
\nschool exams this year. It decided that students in elementary,
\njunior high and high schools should be freed from having to pay
\nexam fees.<\/p>\n
The principals of schools who are found asking for exam fees
\nshould be punished, such as being transferred to another school.<\/p>\n
And we would summon executives of the City Education Agency
\nand ask them to pay serious attention to the matter.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/free-final-examination-its-only-a-rumor-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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