Students lack teachers, classrooms

Students lack teachers, classrooms

Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post/Bogor


Three teachers for an entire elementary school could be
considered a lot in Bogor, because many schools in the regency
only have one teacher for over 200 students, said head of the
administrative unit at the education agency, Bambang SP.

"Bogor lacks about 8,000 elementary and high school teachers.
Every year we receive about 200 contract teachers, but it is
still not enough," he said.

Another official at the agency, who oversees facilities and
maintenance, Lulus Ruslan, added that at least 1,500 schools are
in a poor condition.

"Although we have proposed funds to repair and renovate 250
schools last year, only 76 can be included in the project.
Currently we're making a list of the schools to be prioritized in
the reconstruction project."

One of the worst is Ciherang Pondok elementary school in
Caringin district (see photo), where the 307 students have to
study in shifts in the three classrooms available with only four
teachers, including headmaster Hasan Rifai and one voluntary
teacher.

"We have had to deal with a building that has all but
collapsed and a shortage of teachers for the last 10 years, or
ever since I started here," Hasan said.

The Bogor administration repaired only three classrooms and
the school office in 2002.

"I don't know why the administration left the other four
classrooms in disrepair, maybe because it doesn't have the money.
We also need two teachers for general studies and one sports
teacher," said the headmaster.

Hasan added that the teachers and parents have to collect Rp
100,000 (US$11) every month for the "welfare fund" for the
volunteer teacher.

"We cannot keep asking the parents for money ... most of the
students here come from poor families; many of them have not paid
the annual school fees yet."