Students lack teachers, classrooms<\/p>\n
Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post\/Bogor
\n\u001b<\/p>\n
Three teachers for an entire elementary school could be
\nconsidered a lot in Bogor, because many schools in the regency
\nonly have one teacher for over 200 students, said head of the
\nadministrative unit at the education agency, Bambang SP.<\/p>\n
"Bogor lacks about 8,000 elementary and high school teachers.
\nEvery year we receive about 200 contract teachers, but it is
\nstill not enough," he said.<\/p>\n
Another official at the agency, who oversees facilities and
\nmaintenance, Lulus Ruslan, added that at least 1,500 schools are
\nin a poor condition.<\/p>\n
"Although we have proposed funds to repair and renovate 250
\nschools last year, only 76 can be included in the project.
\nCurrently we're making a list of the schools to be prioritized in
\nthe reconstruction project."<\/p>\n
One of the worst is Ciherang Pondok elementary school in
\nCaringin district (see photo), where the 307 students have to
\nstudy in shifts in the three classrooms available with only four
\nteachers, including headmaster Hasan Rifai and one voluntary
\nteacher.<\/p>\n
"We have had to deal with a building that has all but
\ncollapsed and a shortage of teachers for the last 10 years, or
\never since I started here," Hasan said.<\/p>\n
The Bogor administration repaired only three classrooms and
\nthe school office in 2002.<\/p>\n
"I don't know why the administration left the other four
\nclassrooms in disrepair, maybe because it doesn't have the money.
\nWe also need two teachers for general studies and one sports
\nteacher," said the headmaster.<\/p>\n
Hasan added that the teachers and parents have to collect Rp
\n100,000 (US$11) every month for the "welfare fund" for the
\nvolunteer teacher.<\/p>\n
"We cannot keep asking the parents for money ... most of the
\nstudents here come from poor families; many of them have not paid
\nthe annual school fees yet."<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/students-lack-teachers-classrooms-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}