Begging PSKD Mandiri

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