Govt revokes policy on extra school fee

MEDAN, North Sumatra: The Medan municipal government reversed its decision on Thursday to allow state senior high schools (SMU) in Medan to impose additional fees on students who got low grades in the junior high school national exam but wished to enroll at chosen state senior high schools in the city.

The additional fee, called a "participatory fee" aimed at "increasing people's contribution to education", was between Rp 500,000 (US$52.60) and Rp 2.5 million.

Medan Mayor Abdillah said the decision had been reversed after objections were raised by parents of students as well as non- governmental organizations. -- JP