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