'I work hard to send them to school'<\/p>\n
Many parents try and send their children to the best schools they
\ncan afford to provide them with a good education. However, many
\nmore find supporting their children's education a terrible burden
\nbecause of expensive tuition and a drawn-out, confusing
\nenrollment process. The Jakarta Post asked some parents about
\ntheir experiences and views.<\/p>\n
Suhati, 36, is a sports education teacher at a state junior
\nhigh school in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta. She lives with her
\nhusband and two children in Bojong Gede, Bogor, West Java:<\/p>\n
The quality of education has declined. This is apparent in the
\nlack of creativity among children. Their interest in reading is
\nfar below that in playing on the computer, playing video games or
\nsurfing the Internet. Maybe this has something to do with the
\ndevelopment of media. The programs on TV are becoming more
\ninteresting these days.<\/p>\n
The state elementary school near my house accepts students
\nwithout considering classroom conditions, and their students have
\nshorter school days. Seeing that, I sent my children to a private
\nschool, although it is more expensive. But I feel that they learn
\nmore, as they study from morning to afternoon.<\/p>\n
To cover their admission fees, I took out education insurance
\nwhen they were born. It may not amount to much for some, but for
\nme, it's sufficient.<\/p>\n
Aside from school, they also take extracurricular lessons,
\nsuch as English and religion. They should not play too much. They
\nface more challenges now, so they must have extra support
\nwherever possible.<\/p>\n
Sriati, 36, is a vegetable seller at a street market on Jl.
\nPerdatam, South Jakarta. She lives nearby with her husband, two
\nchildren and her mother:<\/p>\n
I sell vegetables in the morning and run a laundry service in
\nthe afternoon. I work hard so we can afford to send the children
\nto school, as we can't depend on my husband's meager earnings as
\na construction worker.<\/p>\n
My eldest will enter the fifth grade, and I want to buy him a
\nnew school uniform. The littlest one is now five years old. Most
\nchildren of her age went to kindergarten, but I can't afford it.
\nSo she has to wait until she is old enough to start elementary
\nschool.<\/p>\n
It is hard to make ends meet nowadays, but the children have
\nto get the education they need -- for as long as I can afford it.<\/p>\n
-- The Jakarta Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/i-work-hard-to-send-them-to-school-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }