Private schools marginalized?

Private schools marginalized?

From Kompas

The Jakarta administration lacks concern about condition of
private schools. This is evident from the fact that during the
last two academic years the administration did not grant
subsidies to the private elementary and junior high schools. On
the other hand, starting from January 2006, it will provide an
additional grant for state elementary schools of Rp 50,000 per
pupil per month and for junior high schools, Rp 41.600 per pupil
per month.

It should be noted that the Ministry of National Education has
granted subsidies -- funded from the city by the cut in the fuel
subsidy -- to state as well as private schools. So why does the
Jakarta administration differentiate between state and private
schools. Doesn't it aspire to produce quality human resources in
this province?

The Jakarta administration must not forget that in the past,
when it still lacked the capacity -- in terms of finances -- to
build schools in this very province. The authorities demanded
that the private sector help the administration to establish
privately run educational institutions wherever possible.

Now that it has become a well-established province and has
been able to set up a great number of schools, the authorities
concerned should reflect on their policies again, particularly
because the school communities in general are experiencing
financial difficulties under the present circumstances.

EDY GUNAWAN
Jakarta