Students protest misuse of funds

PEKANBARU, Riau: Hundreds of students staged a demonstration at their school here yesterday to protest against the recent purchase of a palm oil plantation in the province using school funds.

The students from Annur Senior High School rallied around their main building with banners which read: "Give back our money" and "Our computers aren't working but you keep asking for money".

Syafrizal, chairman of the student organization, said the school and its education foundation should make available their accounts on the palm oil plantation for students and their parents.

"We want all funds collected from students to be used to buy facilities needed to develop the school."

The school's principal, Hasan Basri, refused to comment on the matter.

Antara reported that first year students at the school have to pay a one-off entrance fee of Rp 260,000. All students pay a monthly tuition fee of Rp 17,500. (rms)