'Quality education still a dream'

'Quality education still a dream'

Parents often complain about the costs of giving their children a
quality eduction, especially the illegal fees schools often
charge, while children of the very poor often miss out on
schooling completely. Most point the finger at the central
government, which they says lacks a serious resolve to provide
education for the poor. The Jakarta Post asked residents for
their thoughts on the issue.

Ilal, 32, is a small-scale second-hand motorcycle trader
in Depok, West Java. He lives with his wife and two children, who
are now studying at an elementary school in Lenteng Agung, South
Jakarta.

I don't think the government has ever been serious about
giving us a good quality education system. If they are serious
then they should spend more money fixing most schools in the
country so that we could send our children to any school with
cheap fees.

If I want my children to get a good education then I have to
really choose, as there are only a few schools that have a good-
quality curriculum and good teachers. This shows that the
government has failed to provide cheap education for its
citizens.

I believe that they are reluctant to spend more money to
education because they tend to concentrate on tangible projects
with tangible results such as toll roads, hotels, and banking
recapitalization. Education is a long-term investment and the
results will only be felt long after the present government steps
down from power.

Rahma, 26, is a part-time teacher in a private school in
Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta. She lives with her parents in
Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta.

I think the quality of teachers and their welfare should be
prioritized by the government as quality education is determined
by teachers. I see that many teachers still lack knowledge and
skills to present lessons to students.

Most of them can't teach well as they get very small salaries
and they often work in other places or are too busy seeking
additional income. I once saw a teacher working as an ojek
(motorcycle taxi) driver in the evening while teaching in the
morning.

Unless the government allocates funds for teachers' welfare
and training, good quality education in Indonesia will continue
to be a dream.
--The Jakarta Post