Schools demand high fees from new students

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The enrollment of new students in junior high schools and high schools across the city has been marred by the imposition of high fees on would-be students.

Waskita, not his real name, a civil servant, grumbled that his nephew, who had applied for a state junior high school in South Jakarta, was asked to pay an enrollment fee of Rp 2 million (US$243).

"It's really burdensome. But, of course, we have no choice but to pay it if we want him to be accepted by the school," sighed Waskita.

Similarly, there have been reports that new students who want to enroll in a popular state high school have to pay up to Rp 5 million.

The principal of the SMU 70 state high school in Jakarta, Suyanto, claimed that new students were expected to make the payment voluntarily in accordance with their parents' financial means.

"Last year, the contributions ranged from nothing up to Rp 3 million," he said.

Commenting on the high enrollment fees, the City Council blasted the policy as being too burdensome on new students, especially those from the lower income bracket.

"There must be a policy setting a ceiling for the permissible fees that may be imposed on new students seeking admission," said Syamsidar Siregar, a member of the City Council's Commission E on educational affairs.

According to Syamsidar, who is also the secretary to the Jakarta chapter of the National Mandate Party (PAN), school management boards and parents' committees had the right to decide on the amount of fees, also often referred to as school "development charges.

These charges must be paid by new students upon admission.

"However, they must not burden the students. That's why the City Elementary Education Agency and City Secondary Education Agency must regulate and restrict the amounts involved," said Syamsidar.

The City Elementary Education Agency oversees state elementary schools and junior high schools, while the City Secondary Education Agency is responsible for state high schools.

Syamsidar vowed that the council would summon the directors of these agencies for a hearing before June 20.

"We will recommend ceilings for the fees imposed on new students," said Syamsidar.

In addition to the standard, Syamsidar said, the council would recommend that the agencies ensure transparency and accountability in the use of the money collected from fees.

Schools, especially state schools, Syamsidar asserted, must be accessible to all students, including those who come from low- income families. Fees must not prevent poor students from receiving an education.

Meanwhile, the director of the City Secondary Education Agency, Sukesti Martono, played down the allegations that schools were imposing enrollment fees.

"There must be a misunderstanding. No enrollment fees are permissible. But, the school is allowed to impose charges for the school's development on students who have definitely been admitted," said Sukesti.

Sukesti claimed that the development funds allocated to state schools were inadequate. "If the school management wants to provide better service, they must look for additional sources of income to pay for the additional costs."

However, Sukesti said that students who objected to paying fees could report their objections to the school concerned or directly to his office by calling (021) 5271424.