Begging PSKD Mandiri

I first moved to Jakarta late last year and the first thing I did was to find a school for my six-year-old daughter, a school with good teaching quality, reasonable fees and proximity to the place where my family and I would be staying.

I was really impressed with PSKD Mandiri, which claimed to be a "National School plus." It is in the Menteng area and I immediately registered my child.

At that time a certain Ms. Lina did mention that my daughter would be put on the waiting list as the school year had already started. She also mentioned that priorities are given to their current students for next year's in-take.

I have been calling PSKD Mandiri, Ms. Lina in particular, ever since, hoping to recieve the good news we have been waiting for since months, but the answer is always the same -- my daughter is still on the waiting list.

As I was in the neighborhood last March 6, I noticed a streamer placed at the gates of the school compound, inviting students to register for the next school year in-take. It was clearly written that registration is open for the levels of nursery, elementary and other school levels, which did not concern me.

Finally I was able to meet Ms. Lina but unfortunately the answer I received was the same -- my daughter is still on the waiting list. She mentioned that the answer on whether my daughter would be accepted will be known by May or June.

I tried to point out that they should not have posted the streamer outside if they already have aspiring sutdents by the dozens waiting in line. All I got was a cold answer, that the school is accepting registration without any guarantee of applicants being accepted.

So why place the ad in the first place? My company or any other company would not place an ad for a vacancy if we really didn't need it. My colleagues who are Indonesian nationals have been saying that normally, all it takes is an under-the-table transaction, which I personally find it hard to believe.

Schools taking bribes -- give me a break!

Do I have to walk on my knees to get an answer? All I am asking is peace of mind.

A simple yes or no would start or end this story.

DENNIS VARGAS

Jakarta