School exams free of charge

School exams free of charge

JAKARTA (JP): State elementary school principals have assured
parents across the city that they do not have to pay anything for
the national exams scheduled for May 12 through May 27.

They gave their assurances Thursday in response to news that
many parents were concerned about having to pay for the exams
even though the city government had assured otherwise.

The head of the city's education and culture office, Sri
Soedono Soemarto, said earlier this week that exams in public
elementary schools would be financed by the administration.

G. Butarbutar, principal of SDN Petojo Selatan 05 public
elementary school in Gambir, Central Jakarta, where 36 six
graders will take their exams, said he had informed parents they
did not have to pay a cent for the exam.

The same message came from principals of SDN 01 Susukan in
East Jakarta, SDN Kedaung Kaliangke 08 in West Jakarta and SDN 01
Rawa Badak in North Jakarta, Antara reported.

Muhir Subagia, head of the North Jakarta education and culture
office, threatened to take punitive action against school
principals who charged parents for the exam.

"We will make sure that school principals in the area comply
with the free exam policy," he said. (pan)