Students protest over fee hike<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): More than a hundred students of the state-owned
\nTechnical High School for Aviation Studies in South Jakarta
\nrefused to attend classes yesterday in protest over a recent
\nincrease in their school fees.<\/p>\n
The students held a noisy demonstration in front of the school
\nbuilding, carrying banners reading "Bring down the school fees."<\/p>\n
"Our school fees are higher than those of private schools,"
\nsaid Dodo, a third grade student. He was backed up by other
\nstudents at the demonstration.<\/p>\n
"The teachers said the money we paid was used to buy school
\nequipment, but this is a state-owned school where the government
\nhas to provide special funds for the school," said Acil, also of
\nthe third grade.<\/p>\n
He said that, in his grade, students have to pay at least Rp
\n18,000 (US$8.18) per month, while for the second and first years
\nthe fees are Rp 28,000 and Rp 33,000, respectively. Those amounts
\ndo not include fees levied for computer studies and other
\nactivities, he added.<\/p>\n
The students also complained about the fees they have to pay
\nfor practical programs accompanying their third year class, known
\nas PKL.<\/p>\n
Each student has to pay at least Rp 380,000 for the 32-day-
\nprogram, to cover electrical and motor workshops, and Rp 400,000
\nfor electronics workshops, Acil said.<\/p>\n
The students complained about the increases which they branded
\n"irrational," given that since the last year the fee for
\npractical programs was still Rp 320,000.<\/p>\n
The PKL program, usually conducted in Bandung, is compulsory
\nfor third year students.<\/p>\n
Five of students' representatives were received by the
\nschool's vice-principal Rustam Saragih, Acil said. "If the school
\nrefuses our demand we will demonstrate again," he said.<\/p>\n
Rustam said that the decision to raise the school fees had
\nbeen agreed to by the students' parents.<\/p>\n
"It was increased by only Rp 2,000 at last week's meeting
\nbetween parents and the school's board," Rustam said.<\/p>\n
However, he said that, in view of the students' protests, the
\nschool would discuss the question with parents once again on
\nSaturday.<\/p>\n
"But for the PKL program the school can do nothing (about the
\nfees) because it is related to other parties, who receive the
\nstudents," Rustam added. (01)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/students-protest-over-fee-hike-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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