Costly tuition again draws complaints
The Jakarta Post, Semarang/Jayapura/Padang
The new academic year began on Monday after a three-week holiday, and as in previous years, parents complained about the high tuition and education costs.
Despite regional autonomy, education remains expensive for most Indonesians, particularly those of the low-income bracket.
Rika, for example, frowned at the Rp 850,000 (US$100) admission fee for her child, who just entered the first grade at Pangudi Luhur Don Bosko elementary school in Semarang, Central Java.
She said the fee was too high, considering that she had to shell out extra money for school uniforms and textbooks. The total cost came to Rp 1.2 million.
"What can I do? I think it's a burden we have to carry as parents. Fortunately, we can pay the admission fee in installments until December," she said.
Rika said Don Bosko was not a top school. "We certainly couldn't afford the best. It would have cost us more than Rp 3 million."
Djurianto Prabowo, an executive of a private firm, echoed the complaint, as he also had to dig deep into his pockets to enroll his son Gandhi in his first year at Dominico Safio junior high school, one of the most highly regarded schools in Semarang.
He paid Rp 3.5 million for the admission fee.
"The cost is too high. It would be more reasonable if it was only Rp 2 million," Djurianto said.
Similarly, Suparno had to fork out Rp 5 million for his child Nikola, a fifth grader, to transfer from a school in Bandung, West Java, to Tri Tunggal elementary school in Semarang.
"It's expensive. What can I say? It just costs much more if you want your child to go to a good school. I think all parents want their children to get the best education possible," he said.
Tuition fees range from Rp 70,000 to Rp 200,000 per month per student at the best schools in Semarang, in addition to admission fees.
On the other hand, several inexpensive options for middle- to low-income families are available, like Kanisius Kurmasari elementary, also in Semarang.
According to principal Robertus Setyo, the school charges a mere Rp 250,000 in admission fees for new first graders.
"We won't charge admission fees if the students come from our kindergarten. In addition, if parents have difficulties paying the admission fees, they can submit a waiver request, which we usually accept. Those studying here are mostly from the middle- to low-income groups," he said.
Despite its special autonomy, parents in Papua also voiced similar grievances over high education costs.
"I have to pay Rp 1.3 million for my daughter's enrollment in a senior high school in Jayapura," said Damaris. "I will make every effort to enroll her in a good school," she added.
Betshie Pasiwarissa, a mother of three, said she paid a total of Rp 2 million for their enrollment in elementary, junior and senior high schools, excluding the Rp 4 million for uniforms and textbooks.
Part of the fees would be used to improve education facilities, including the procurement of computers and other learning equipment, she added.
Betshie urged the government to subsidize education facilities and equipment, so parents would not be so heavily burdened.
The principal of Jayapura's YPPK Santa Paulus junior high school said operational costs of private schools would not pose such a burden if government subsidies were provided.
Parents in Padang, West Sumatra, were equally concerned over the high costs of education.
Sri, who lives in South Ulak Karang district, Padang, said she enrolled her eldest daughter at North Padang state elementary school at a registration fee of Rp 5,000.
Her daughter passed the entrance test, and Sri paid an additional Rp 378,000 in admission fees.
Of this amount, Rp 150,000 will be used for school development and Rp 5,000 for the July tuition, as well as uniforms and textbooks. The remaining Rp 150,000 is allocated for school renovations.
"We must complete our payments three days after the announcement of the entrance test results, so we have to borrow money from others," said the mother of three, whose husband is a construction worker.
Padang education office head Marjohan said the government had required all elementary schools to charge only Rp 5,000 for enrollment and that monthly tuition was standardized.
Other costs for uniforms, school supplies and other needs were not compulsory, he added.
"Parents will not have time to go to tailors, so school cooperatives will help them buy uniforms. They should not cost more than market prices," he said.