Ministry under fire over decree on visit to Sea World

JAKARTA (JP): Just weeks after the controversy over uniforming students' shoes, the Ministry of Education and Culture has come under fire again over reports it had issued a letter requiring high school students to visit Sea World.

Chairman of the Islamic organization Muhammadiyah, Amien Rais, immediately called on the ministry to stop the commercialization of education.

"Stop the commercialization of education, a practice which is completely unethical," he said as quoted by Antara from Yogyakarta yesterday.

Separately, Djauzak Ahmad, a respected observer on education, said although the intent was good, the means it employed were not commendable.

"Going on a study trip or a student picnic should not be forced, let alone commercialized," he remarked.

The latest controversy erupted when it was revealed that a state-run high school SMUN 34 obliged its first-year students to take part in a visit to Sea World in Ancol, North Jakarta, based on a supposed letter of recommendation from the Jakarta Education and Culture office No. 1506/I01.G/M/1996 dated Aug. 20, 1996.

Students reportedly had to pay Rp 37,500 (US$12.70) for the visit, much higher than the usual Rp 11,000 entrance fee.

The latest controversy comes on the heels of a barrage of public outrage following efforts to uniform elementary school children's shoes. The company which was to make the shoes also reportedly received a letter of recommendation from the ministry of education and culture.

President Soeharto expressed his disapproval of the plan, before the recommendation letter was revoked.

Both Amien and Djauzak warned that the latest controversy could provoke further ire among parents and seriously damage the education system's image.

But as reported by Antara, foul play may be behind the latest issue as officials here suggest the letter of recommendation may be fake.

Spokesman for Jakarta's Education and Culture Office, Hadis Hadianegara, said an investigation is currently underway.

"I doubt whether there is any such requirement for students to visit Sea World, especially at such an expensive price," he said, adding that usually only museums and archeological institutions were made mandatory visits. (09)