'All parents complain about high education fees'

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono complained recently about the growing number of private schools, many of which, he said, put profit before quality education. However, the government has not yet been able to place a high priority on education, especially for the poor, as stipulated in the Constitution. The Jakarta Post asked residents their thoughts on this important issue.

Parjo, 45, is a security guard at Tanah Abang market in Central Jakarta. He lives with his wife and three children in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta:

I have three children, the eldest is now in high school, while the other two in are junior high school.

Thank God they were able to pass the admission requirements to enter state schools, as the tuition fees are cheaper than private schools.

But still the amount of the school fees and other related expenditures for their education is a big burden on me, because it costs around a third of my monthly salary of Rp 1 million (US$105).

My second child will enter high school next July. It gives me headache just thinking about the expensive entrance fee.

I heard that the Jakarta administration prohibits schools from collecting entrance fees from the parents, but I don't think it is stopping the schools from taking something from us, legal or not. Such practices are common here.

I could never dream of sending my children to a high-quality private school.

For me, it is enough to see my children go to a state school so that they can continue studying without worrying too much about the fees.

Burhana, 40, works at a bank on Jl. S. Parman in West Jakarta. He lives in Kebon Melati in Central Jakarta. He has two children, both are studying in elementary school:

All parents, especially from the low-income bracket, of course, complain about the high education fees, although I have not experienced it yet because my two children are still in elementary school.

Several of my neighbors, whose children are studying at junior high and high schools, said that they had to pay some Rp 2 million in entrance fees to state schools.

I wonder what the politicians have done after getting what they want?

During the election campaigns last year, they promised to fight for free education.

I hope when it's time for my children to enter junior high school over the next several years, the government is able to provide free education for all.

I'm not sure whether my children are now at a quality school or not. Moreover, I don't think state schools are so bad, many of their graduates later go to university.

--The Jakarta Post