Principals to be disciplined

JAKARTA (JP): The city administration will apply stiff disciplinary measures to eight state elementary school principals for collecting illegal levies from students' parents, an official said Thursday.

The head of the city's Education and Teaching Agency, Gito Purnomo, told reporters that the eight headmasters had been found guilty of charging the parents higher entrance fees than the official Rp 1,750 rate.

Gito, however, did not reveal the amount illegally collected.

"We found the violation based on complaints from the parents, who lodged their protests along with their receipts.

"We're still discussing the type of sanctions to be applied. They could range from warnings to dismissals," he said.

Gito said he hoped more parents would be willing to report any errant headmasters who collected illegal fees. His office supervises all state elementary schools in the capital.

"But all complaints should be attached with authentic evidence, including payment receipts. Otherwise, it would be difficult for us to take action against any alleged wrongdoing," he said.

On Wednesday, the regional office of the education and culture ministry announced that it had dismissed eight state junior and high school principals for similar misconduct. (ind)