New school enrollment policy raises hail of criticism

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

There is good news for students who want to enroll in state high schools. They are now free to enroll in any school here as the city administration's education office announced on Tuesday that it had lifted the restriction on enrollment based on location.

Parents welcomed the new policy as it provides greater choice for students. But they also warned that it could also lead to corruption and collusion.

"There must be so many students who want to get a seat in a popular school. In such a situation, the parents may be obliged to pay a bribe to ensure that their children can gain admittance," said Laila, whose daughter wants to enroll at SMU 81 high school in Cipinang Melayu or SMU 48 high school in Pinang Ranti, both in East Jakarta.

Similarly, Darmawan, whose son will be seeking a place at SMU 34 high school in Pondok Labu, South Jakarta, said bribery could occur due to the lack of monitoring in the implementation of the new ruling.

The enrollment period will start on July 1 through to July 4 while the second enrollment period is on July 9 and July 10.

Maman Achdiyat, deputy head of the city's education office, called for a press conference to announce the new policy earlier on Tuesday.

"Unlike last year's admission procedures which required the students to enroll in certain schools in a specific area, they are now allowed to choose their own high schools," said Maman.

The candidates would be graded based on their grade points of the national final examination and the academic report.

All state high schools in the capital, Maman said, would simultaneously announce the results of the selection on July 5.

Those who pass the selection must confirm their intent to register with the school, while those who fail the selection could apply with another school in the second enrollment period.

Maman also announced that the enrollment and administrative procedure was free of charge. "All costs will be covered by the city budget," said Maman.

Students who are accepted, however, will be required to pay a donation to the school management, the amount of which would be decided in a meeting between teachers and parents.

Maman said should irregularities occur, the parents could file a complaint with his office on tel.: 5204087 or 5204095.