Schools remain out-of-reach for the poor

Schools remain out-of-reach for the poor

Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The start of the academic year is four months away, but schools
in Jakarta -- including kindergartens, high schools, state and
private schools -- are already advertising in the media.

The BPK Penabur Christian High School 1 in Tanjung Duren, West
Jakarta, opened its early admissions program in January. Students
from qualified schools were accepted without entrance tests on
the condition that they had scored a minimum average of eight.

"Starting this year, we will accept students from 25 schools,
including Santa Ursula, Kanisius, Bunda Hati Kudus and IPEKA,
without tests as long as they meet our requirements," principal
Dian Hutahahean told The Jakarta Post recently.

Graduates from schools outside the 25 listed must pass a
series of tests. Even with the tests, the number of applicants
remained high, said Dian, adding that parents were usually
attracted by the school's reputation and its well-planned
curriculum.

"We use the 1994 standard curriculum from the Ministry of
National Education. We just enrich some subjects, particularly
mathematics and science, so that the courses are better and more
structured," she said.

According to Dian, the school has produced alumni who perform
well at universities both nationwide and abroad.

Tiffany, a second year student, said the school had a good
reputation. She claimed that it was easier to be accepted by a
university after graduating from the high school, adding that,
"My mom also told me to choose this school."

With an admission fee of Rp 11 million (US$1,309) and a
monthly tuition fee of Rp 450,000, Tiffany's mother, Kumala, said
the school was well worth the price.

Classes at Sekolah Global Jaya, a national plus school in
Bintaro, Tangerang, are taught in English. The school offers a
more condensed curriculum, allowing the children time to play.

Principal Kenneth J. Cock said that his school also
implemented the 1994 standard curriculum.

"The only difference lies in the teaching methods whereby
children are challenged to promote themselves, to develop their
critical thinking and their problem-solving skills," he said.

Cock believes that although education is important "playing
(for the children) is important too."

This principle convinced Novita, the mother of a six-year-old
boy, to enroll her son in the school.

"I want my son to speak English fluently but still have time
to play so that he can be happy," she enthused.

With an annual building-maintenance fee of Rp 12 million
(US$1,429) for all students, except those in the kindergarten,
and monthly tuition fees between Rp 2.9 million and Rp 3.3
million (depending on the level), Cock said "for what the
students get, the fees are not expensive."

But for Jeffry, an eight-year-old student of Hati Suci School
in Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta, the privilege to choose the best
school does not apply. "My education is funded by other people's
donations," he said.

Education expert Mochtar Buchori,emphasized that parents
should study a school's curriculum before enrolling their
children.

"As long as the curriculum provides students with the
opportunity to develop their ability to think and solve problems
-- instead of rote learning -- then it's fine," he said.

As many people don't have the advantage of choosing where
their children are educated, the poor condition of state
elementary schools in Jakarta has concerned the City Council.

"There are 68 state elementary schools that need total
renovation, but this year's city budget only allocates funds for
21 schools," said councillor Syamsidar Siregar.

She regretted that the Jakarta administration only allocated a
total of Rp 65 billion for renovations, although it had reserved
funds of Rp 700 billion.

"If the administration has not allocated enough money for
education, it could have used the reserved funds with approval
from the council," said Syamsidar.