Parents complain over school fees

BEKASI: Despite the Bekasi administration's warning to schools not to impose excessive fees on new students, some parents have complained about exorbitant admission fees and compulsory book purchases.

"I just paid a Rp 500,000 (some US$56) admission fee and bought a package of school books for Rp 250,000," the parent of a child enrolled in the Jatiasih state elementary school said on Monday.

Another parent said that the school management never involved the parents in making decisions over the additional expenses they had to pay in addition to the one-off admission fee and monthly fees.

"The price of the books is higher than the market price," Zubaidah, 35, said.

Councillor Syafrudin said that the Bekasi Council would summon school managements that were selling books at exorbitant prices. -- Antara