School sells book to students
Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak and Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
A circular distributed by a teachers' cooperative at state-run junior high school SLTPN 139 in Klender, East Jakarta, has given an added burden to parents, who are still nursing their headache after the school increased its monthly fees without consulting them.
The circular, dated June 16, notifies them of books that will be used by second and third year students, with a note instructing parents to buy the books at the cooperative on Saturday, the day parents collect the students' school report.
The package for second-year students is priced at Rp 315,200 (US$38), while the package for the third year is Rp 235,500. The circular is signed by headmaster Parmudji and the cooperative chairman Sukimin.
Parmudji, however, denied that students were obliged to buy the books although he failed to explain why the school didn't obtain the school committee's consent beforehand.
"I guarantee the books are cheaper in the cooperative," he told reporters on Friday, adding that the publisher Yudisthira had discounted the book prices for the school.
He also explained that the school didn't invite parents for a meeting before increasing the school fees from the previous Rp 45,000 per month to Rp 60,000 because "we don't have a room big enough to accommodate all the parents of our students".
Parmudji said half of the fees would go to the school committee and would be used to subsidize about 100 students who come from poor families.
As much as Rp 15,000 is allotted to finance the students' extracurricular activities, Rp 10,000 for computer lessons, and the remaining Rp 5,000 for evaluating the students, he said.
Syamsidar Siregar, City Council member from Commission C who also oversees education, said that the school should not sell books to students.
But not all schools in the city have such a practice. Some even lend textbooks to the students for free.
Ari, a second year student of state junior high school 49 in Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, said that her school never obliged its students to purchase the textbooks at school. She preferred to purchase the books at school to save time. But she did not compare prices with those sold at bookstores.
Meanwhile, Rasyidi, 30, whose daughter is studying at a state junior high school in Bekasi, said his daughter often purchased books at the school, as well as bookstores.
"Some of the books sold at school are more expensive, while others are cheaper," he said.
Rasyid also said that his son, who was studying at another state junior high school in Bekasi, borrowed textbooks from the school, which provided them for free.