Appeal to education minister

The prolonged economic crisis has lowered people's per capita income, causing an increase in the poor and a sharp increase in the number of dropouts, from elementary schools to high schools and universities.

There is still a long way to go before the national economy fully recovers from Indonesia's ongoing crises. I now call upon the Minister of National Education to be mindful of the fate of students hailing from poorer income groups.

We hope the education minister in the new Cabinet of President Megawati Soekarnoputri will take the necessary reform measures, like purging the education ministry of officials involved in corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN), including those who have leaked examination papers in the past to junior and senior high schools.

The other important issue is the use of luxury textbooks, not only in senior and junior high schools, but also in elementary schools. Why should such luxury books with expensive paper be used in elementary schools?

Of course, some parents can't afford to provide expensive textbooks for their children as the economic crisis has lowered their purchasing power. It is really illogical to oblige school children to use luxury textbooks in a developing country like Indonesia.

We can follow India's example where students get cheap textbooks because they use cheap paper and ink.

The most important thing of course is the content and not the physical quality, though the provision of cheap textbooks would be helpful for students.

By providing cheap textbooks, the government gives greater opportunity to the younger generation to master science and technology for the sake of the nation's future.

SOEDARTO

Jakarta