'State schools are no better than private ones'

'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."