Costly tuition again draws complaints

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.