Concern over cost of education

Concern over cost of education

From Warta Kota

I would like to express my disappointment, as an ordinary citizen, at the high cost of education in this period of reform in the country, though in fact I have no idea to whom I should address this letter.

It is a painful experience to witness parents upset by the soaring fees demanded by most schools, while regional autonomy has failed to improve the situation. The government sets no standards and makes no rules concerning the rates for different levels of education. All institutes determine the fees parents have to pay for their children's schooling.

In the New Order period, Indonesia's educational conditions were better than today, in the sense that government agencies regulated and took care of this sector.

Under present circumstances, I fear that a lot of youths will not be able to attend school as they cannot afford to pay the fees. I would like to appeal to the authorities in charge that something should be done to help them, as we can only be a big nation through educating the younger generation.

AINI

Jakarta