A school for corruption

A school for corruption

From Neraca

Reports of illegal school levies have repeatedly reached the Indonesian Environment Development (BLHI). Jakarta and other regions are reported to have collected illegal levies from parents. In Tangerang, the government junior high schools collected Rp.700,000 from new entrants without giving them a clear breakdown. The official payment is only about Rp.95,000. Consequently, many clever elementary school graduates can not be admitted into government high schools, simply because they can not afford the bribes demanded of them.

Such corruption is clearly symptomatic of the corrupt morality in the educational sector, something we should be profoundly ashamed of. Maybe the pupils' moral degradation which finds expression in student brawls or drug use stemmed from the low morality prevailing among teachers and administrators. The minister of education and culture Wardiman Djojonegoro should not remain passive and idle. Warnings alone are not enough. Firm action is required. Maybe the issue needs to be taken to the courts.

AGUS MIFTACH

Chairman of BLHI

Jakarta