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."