Free education an illusion

Free education an illusion

From Kompas

The government's statement that free education will be available for all this year remains nothing but an illusion, because in our experience, the residents of Cimanggis, Depok, West Java, are not getting any cost relief for our school-age children.

In previous years, children less than six years old could enroll at an elementary school near our homes. Though I sent two of my children to the school, my third child, only two months short of six, was recently turned down.

After reaching an agreement with the school's enrollment committee, however, my child was admitted on the condition that a development fund contribution of Rp 1 million be paid, which would total Rp 1.357 million including uniforms and books.

Owing to my limited income and the two other children to support, I had to cancel his enrollment and wait until the next school year. Therefore, I would like to appeal to the authorities to pay attention to disadvantaged children and remove unnecessary school charges.

WIWIK GANEFWATI Depok, West Java