Contradicting education laws

Contradicting education laws

From Kompas

Article 36, paragraph 1 of Education Law No. 2/1989 on the
national education system says: "The cost of state education
shall be the responsibility of the government."

Whereas article 17, paragraph 1 of Law No. 28/1990 on
elementary education and article 18, paragraph 1 of Law No.
29/1990 on secondary education say among others: "Each student is
responsible for the cost of education, except those who are
exempted from such responsibility according existing
regulations."

Private schools have no problem in implementing the laws and
regulations. But state institutions face some problems. The
latter laws were not referred to in the previous law which has
more authority, and as a consequence, every state school is
justified in collecting different contributions from
students/parents, without clear definition as to how the system
should be implemented.

The contributions include fees for the school board, various
educational contributions, school uniforms, text books, shadow
and real progress report books, re-registration, swimming fees,
scout fees, Red Cross contributions, enrollment fees for higher
education, library dues, exam fees, charges for farewell parties,
excursion/recreation costs, laboratory expenses and what not. All
these fees and contributions exist as a result of laws that
contradict each another. Sanctions against misappropriation of
funds are virtually nonexistent. A school board is nothing but an
organ of the school system. The people's representatives keep
silent. What can society do under these circumstances? One should
not be surprised if by 2020, 30 percent of the population will be
illiterate simply because they lack financial support.

EKA SANJAYA

Jakarta