'It's stupid to buy diploma'

'It's stupid to buy diploma'

As the legal proceedings over an unlicensed educational
institution go on, implicating many leading figures who have
obtained diplomas from the institution, The Jakarta Post
interviewed residents about the issue.

Rizky KD Ntoma, 24, works at a foreign embassy on Jl. Jend.
Sudirman in South Jakarta. She lives in Bintaro, South Jakarta:

That's really stupid; both those who offer the diplomas for
money and those who think that they can buy diplomas. It simply
reflects how poor the mentality is of some Indonesian people who
want instant results without working hard.

I do agree with a recent ad depicting people buying diplomas
as monkeys. People should think a thousand times if necessary
before trying to buy diplomas.

The government has to tackle this issue immediately and
heavily sanction those involved. In addition, the government
should start thinking hard to make education much less expensive
so that many people could have more access to education.

Isnu, 30, works with a non-governmental organization in Bukit
Duri, South Jakarta:

I think the case simply shows that education has turned into a
commodity and educational institutions into profit-oriented
enterprises. Educators have failed to maintain their main vision
to promote knowledge and science to build a better future for the
people. Instead, schools are competing to make money. No wonder
the rich think that they can buy diplomas as those diplomas are
often required to gain a position in the bureaucracy.

We also witness the mushrooming of informal educational
institutions here and there. That shows that people have no
confidence in the government to provide the best education for
the people.

I think the government should join hands with the people to
seek a common vision of education and improve the education
system in the country comprehensively.

--The Jakarta Post