Well-versed parents may prevent graft in schools<\/p>\n
Recent reports of alleged corruption cases in several state
\nschools have shocked Jakartans, particularly parents. As the
\ncurrent state budget allocated for education falls far short of
\nthe 20 percent mandated in the Constitution, many schools ask
\nparents to pay maintenance fees.The Jakarta Post's Urip Hudiono
\nhas been looking into this issue. This is the last of three
\narticles.<\/p>\n
Education experts are urging parents to be more involved in the
\naffairs of their children's schools, as graft cases at schools
\nare believed to be caused by officials taking advantage of the
\ngeneral lack of knowledge on how a school is run.<\/p>\n
Dharmaningtyas from the Center for the Betterment of Education
\nsaid parents should be empowered through awareness of their
\nrights in participating in the management of schools.<\/p>\n
"Parents have to understand that it is now their right -- and
\nresponsibility -- to supervise how a school is run," he said.<\/p>\n
"For that purpose, the government should educate them on the
\nimportance of school committees, and that they must be involved
\nin the committees' establishment."<\/p>\n
Dharmaningtyas said the center would also help out by
\ncompiling information on the reasonable amount of funds required
\nto manage a school, so parents can refer to it when school
\nofficials request donations or additional fees.<\/p>\n
Similarly, Sarasdewi from the National Education Watch urged
\nparents to be more proactive in criticizing school policies they
\ndo not agree with -- particularly in regards the school budget.<\/p>\n
"Parents should realize they contribute to the school's
\nfinances, so they should demand that school officials allocate
\nthe funds properly in the best interests of their children's
\neducation," she said.<\/p>\n
"In extreme cases, parents should report any school official
\nfound to be discriminating against students whose parents were
\ncritical to the National Commission for Child Protection."<\/p>\n
In order to nurture a critical stance among parents, Sarasdewi
\nsuggested that parents set up some kind of forum among themselves
\nto discuss school affairs.<\/p>\n
"Even though a school already has a school committee, parents
\n-- at least those whose children are in the same class -- should
\nactively maintain contact with each other to talk about the
\nschool and how their children's education is progressing," she
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Dharmaningtyas asserted that preventing corruption at schools
\nthrough continuous parent participation was more important than
\nexposing and investigating the cases after the fact.<\/p>\n
"Many suspected graft cases reported to the City Education
\nAgency usually stop short of resolution. Even if graft is
\ndiscovered, the agency would simply transfer the principal to
\nanother school," he said.<\/p>\n
"Reporting the cases to the police would also be useless, they
\nwould likely end up being mired in the country's renowned muddy
\nlegal system."<\/p>\n
I-Box<\/p>\n
What parents can do to prevent graft at schools:<\/p>\n
1. Always be critical toward any request for donations,
\nespecially for purposes that should be covered by state funds --
\nlike final exams and teacher's salaries -- and those that appear
\nambiguous and\/or unnecessary, such as anniversaries and other
\ncelebratory events.
\n2. Demand that a school committee be formed if it has not been
\nalready, and that its members be elected directly and
\ntransparently by parents, teachers and the public.
\n3. Secure invitations to\/participation in any and all meetings
\nheld by the school committee -- especially budget-related
\nmeetings -- and attend them.
\n4. Refuse any requests for donations\/fees that have been made
\nwithout the knowledge\/approval of the school committee.
\n5. Demand that the school budget be audited.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/well-versed-parents-may-prevent-graft-in-schools-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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