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.