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)