School enrollment fees

School enrollment fees

From Suara Karya

While the issue of enrollment fees was explained when enrollment began, we've read in the newspapers lately of state- owned schools collecting enrollment fees amounting to Rp 1 million and above for state Senior High Schools.

I just do not understand how state schools, in particular those in Jakarta, can do such a terrible thing without giving a second thought. Especially since the Head of the Regional Office of Jakarta has appealed to all school principals not to talk about money when they conduct enrollment of new students. The issue of contribution money and cost of education should be discussed in the meetings of the Council for Education Assistance (BP3) after school begins. Why? Because BP3, which consists of representatives of the students' parents, can objectively tell the right cost of education, having taken everything including the financial ability of its members into consideration.

I'd like to warn all parties that if the contribution of education costs amounting to millions of rupiah continues to disturb enrollment of new students, then there is a danger of (i) burdening the poor parents who in turn dare not enroll their children in those schools, and (ii) directly damaging the image of national education as school will no longer be a place for learning and teaching, but a place to do business.

BUDIMAN PRANOTO

Jakarta