'No quality school for the poor'<\/p>\n
Many observers and parents have complained about the cost of
\nquality, yet affordable education, citing the central
\ngovernment's lack of resolve to fully subsidize education for the
\npoor. The Jakarta Post asked Jakartans their thoughts on the
\nissue.<\/p>\n
Saras Dewi, 21, is a student activist. She lives with her
\nfamily in Pangeran Antasari area, South Jakarta:<\/p>\n
Quality schools for the poor? It sounds impossible. A quality
\nschool may provide scholarships or create a cross subsidy derived
\nfrom parents' donations, but few poor people enjoy access to
\nthat.<\/p>\n
Yes, there are schools for the poor. I know of one school in
\nMuara Angke, North Jakarta, that does not require school fees.
\nBut don't talk about quality, it is far below standard.<\/p>\n
For me, the gap between schools for the rich and for the poor
\nis significant. We may never witness a genius coming from remote
\nvillages or from families that live on the riverbanks. The case
\nof George from Papua is rare and is not related to the quality of
\nour national education.<\/p>\n
I know of a state elementary school that asked Rp 7 million as
\nan entrance fee, even though there is a law that prohibits state
\nschools from asking money from parents. This is another form of
\ncorruption. And the perpetrators, who are mostly school
\nprincipals, should be sent to prison or fired.<\/p>\n
Such a situation is disheartening because people actually do
\nnot have to pay to send their children to state schools. They
\nalso don't have to pay for exams. There are laws that regulate
\nthis. The law states that all regular school programs will be
\nfinanced by the Ministry of National Education. So, there should
\nbe no more fees asked by the schools.<\/p>\n
Parents should realize this and be critical about every fee
\nthat is asked by the school. The public must report this to NGOs
\nif they receive any information about state schools that are
\nasking money from students.<\/p>\n
Bobby Bharata, 32, is an entrepreneur. He lives with his
\nfamily in Cimanggis, Depok:<\/p>\n
Quality, affordable education is unrealistic. I want it so
\nbadly, but it doesn't exist. When I wanted to send my daughter to
\nkindergarten, most well-known kindergartens asked around Rp 5
\nmillion to Rp 20 million for the entrance fee.<\/p>\n
The reason for the fee, they said, was because they were
\nfamous and could develop my child's intelligence. I chose to save
\nthe money and send my daughter to a not so expensive school, even
\nthough it did not promise to make my child the next B.J. Habibie.<\/p>\n
Schools for the poor are those organized by NGOs or student
\nactivists in slums. Based on the facilities and the quality of
\nthe teacher volunteers there, I doubt that any physicists or
\nbiology experts would come from the schools.<\/p>\n
The problem is we are too dependent on schools. Parents could
\nteach their children to read books or learn history, but why do
\nthey avoid this? If you want to avoid sending your children to an
\nexpensive school but you want them to be as smart as Einstein,
\nteach them yourself!<\/p>\n
--The Jakarta Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/no-quality-school-for-the-poor-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }