Rigid management by LIA

Rigid management by LIA

From Kompas

My child joined recently an English language course organized
by the Indonesian-American Institute Foundation (YLIA) and passed
the Intermediate 1 level at LIA on Jl. Pramuka.

During the following semester, the teacher told my child that
she should move to LIA in Kelapa Gading because she was still in
junior high school. The teacher said there was no place at LIA
Jl. Pramuka for junior high students. Not satisfied with the
explanation she went with her sister to see the course manager.
No result. She had to leave because she was still in junior high.

My child argued that the course was not a junior high school
course but an English-language course where placement is
determined by language skills and not by the class in a formal
school.

I am astonished that an English language course is governed by
a student's level in formal schooling. If this is their rule, I
suggest the course be made a junior high school one, a senior
high school one, etc. Do not call it an English-language course.
For such a course, the reference is the aptitude in the English
language.

I see that the management and its regulations are extremely
rigid. It stops students from making quicker progress. If a
private institute is so inflexible, when can this country make
progress? There will be more and more achievement-oriented people
who are hampered just because of the rigidity on the part of the
management and its regulations that are not in accordance with
the objectives.

When will this country catch up with its neighboring countries
at international fora if even the private sector is so rigid?

H. TABRANY

Jakarta