'State schools are no better than private ones'

Apart from frustration with high tuition and entrance fees, parents are also careful to choose schools based on their educational methods and curriculum. Some parents complained about conditions, mostly at state schools.

Chaidil Anwar, 45, an employee at the city administration and a father of a 12-year-old daughter. He lives in East Jakarta:

"I think educational methods in private schools are better than in state schools. That's why my only daughter studied in private schools since kindergarten.

My daughter went to a kindergarten that was managed by the Lab school. Her elementary school is also in the Lab school in Rawamangun, East Jakarta.

Although she graduated with a good final test grade (NEM) and was accepted at a state junior high school, she preferred to study at a private school.

Since she graduated from the Lab school, she decided to continue her studies at Fransiscus Catholic junior high school to savor a new atmosphere.

We paid tuition fees of about Rp 3 million after discussing it with the junior high school's principal. Other students may have paid more than us, based on their ability to pay."

Endang. 35, a secretary at the city administration and mother of two children. She lives in a housing complex in Bekasi, West Java.

"Many mothers are confused and frustrated during the current registration time for new students. My son decided to study at a private school after I was told that I had to pay at least Rp 3 million if I wanted my son to be accepted at a state high school in Bekasi.

At least 1,500 students registered at the state school, but it could only accommodate 400 students. So that's why bribery took place.

I heard that many schools in Bekasi adopted a similar practice. Perhaps the school principals thought that many wealthy Jakartans lived in housing complexes in Bekasi, so the schools applied high tuition fees.

I thought the state schools were no better than private schools. So it's OK at a private school."

Rina Marlina, 43, is an employee of a private company on Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said and a mother of three children. Her son has just registered at a state-owned junior high school in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta.

"Applying for a new school is always a headache. On the one hand, I want a good education for my children. On the other hand, good education requires more money. Worse still, the competition to get a place in a good school is always stiff.

I have to pay at least Rp 3 million for the initial registration for my son, who has just finished his entrance test for a state-owned junior high school. Hopefully, he will get a good score so he does not have to apply for a private school.

My family could still afford the fees of a relatively good private school, however, it would be better if he secures a seat in a state-owned school. I have other children, who are currently in university and high school. And they also need money for education."