Government firm on unregistered vocational schools<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Education and Culture's Jakarta
\noffice repeated its warning yesterday to unregistered vocational
\nschools to close if they could not meet minimum standards.<\/p>\n
The office's head, Kusnan Ismukanto, said there were at least
\n21 vocational schools in Jakarta which did not have their own
\nbuildings or qualified teachers as the government's minimum
\nstandards required.<\/p>\n
\"Some of them do not even have any students. They have only
\nname boards,\" Kusnan said.<\/p>\n
Kusnan said the unregistered schools were 12 economics high
\nschools (SMEA), five technical high schools (STM), three tourism
\nhigh schools (SMIP) and 1 maritime high school (SPM).<\/p>\n
Among the schools were SMEA Wijaya Kusuma, North Jakarta, STM
\nRistek Sari Mulya, East Jakarta, SMIP Pernas, North Jakarta and
\nSPM Baruna, East Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Speaking after a ceremony granting experimental equipment to
\nsome vocational schools, Kusnan said his office would not close
\nthe schools immediately. \"We acknowledge that, in a way, they
\nhave participated in the administration's efforts in solving the
\neducation problem.\"<\/p>\n
However, he told them to improve or the government would close
\nthem.<\/p>\n
Kusnan said his office had repeatedly warned the unregistered
\nschools to apply to the Ministry of Education and Culture's city
\noffice but most had not.<\/p>\n
Last week, director general of basic and middle education
\nZaenal Arifin Achmady suggested unregistered private technical
\nhigh schools be closed.<\/p>\n
The head of the vocational training department's Jakarta
\noffice, Kasito, said the 21 schools were recorded when the office
\nconducted a survey on the quality of vocational schools.<\/p>\n
The survey found 90 vocational schools, including the 21,
\nwhich are below minimum standard, he said.<\/p>\n
Kasito said the owners of 69 vocational schools had applied
\nfor operational permits. \"But, we agreed to give operating
\nlicenses to only 45 of them, based on the minimum standard.\"<\/p>\n
The remaining 24 schools still have to improve their standards
\nto meet the requirements, he said.<\/p>\n
Kusnan said many parents were now interested in sending their
\nchildren to vocational schools in the hope they could get jobs
\nsoon after graduating.<\/p>\n
Compared to general high schools, whose students are supposed
\nto continue studying at university, vocational schools are
\nconsidered to be more practical for getting a job.<\/p>\n
\"I suggest, therefore, parents be selective in choosing a
\nvocational school before sending their children,\" Kusnan said.<\/p>\n
Jakarta has 515 vocational schools, 342 of which were
\neconomics high schools and 97 technical schools.<\/p>\n
Kusnan denied students from most unregistered technical high
\nschools were notorious for brawling.<\/p>\n
The 90 unregistered schools had nothing to do with the schools
\nrenowned for brawling, Kusnan said. \"The brawling students are
\nfrom other schools, among 50 senior high schools listed by the
\nauthorities for their brutality.\" (07)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/government-firm-on-unregistered-vocational-schools-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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