'Quality education still a dream'<\/p>\n
Parents often complain about the costs of giving their children a
\nquality eduction, especially the illegal fees schools often
\ncharge, while children of the very poor often miss out on
\nschooling completely. Most point the finger at the central
\ngovernment, which they says lacks a serious resolve to provide
\neducation for the poor. The Jakarta Post asked residents for
\ntheir thoughts on the issue.<\/p>\n
Ilal, 32, is a small-scale second-hand motorcycle trader
\nin Depok, West Java. He lives with his wife and two children, who
\nare now studying at an elementary school in Lenteng Agung, South
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
I don't think the government has ever been serious about
\ngiving us a good quality education system. If they are serious
\nthen they should spend more money fixing most schools in the
\ncountry so that we could send our children to any school with
\ncheap fees.<\/p>\n
If I want my children to get a good education then I have to
\nreally choose, as there are only a few schools that have a good-
\nquality curriculum and good teachers. This shows that the
\ngovernment has failed to provide cheap education for its
\ncitizens.<\/p>\n
I believe that they are reluctant to spend more money to
\neducation because they tend to concentrate on tangible projects
\nwith tangible results such as toll roads, hotels, and banking
\nrecapitalization. Education is a long-term investment and the
\nresults will only be felt long after the present government steps
\ndown from power.<\/p>\n
Rahma, 26, is a part-time teacher in a private school in
\nKebayoran Lama, South Jakarta. She lives with her parents in
\nKebon Jeruk, West Jakarta.<\/p>\n
I think the quality of teachers and their welfare should be
\nprioritized by the government as quality education is determined
\nby teachers. I see that many teachers still lack knowledge and
\nskills to present lessons to students.<\/p>\n
Most of them can't teach well as they get very small salaries
\nand they often work in other places or are too busy seeking
\nadditional income. I once saw a teacher working as an ojek
\n(motorcycle taxi) driver in the evening while teaching in the
\nmorning.<\/p>\n
Unless the government allocates funds for teachers' welfare
\nand training, good quality education in Indonesia will continue
\nto be a dream.
\n--The Jakarta Post<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/quality-education-still-a-dream-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}