Students protest over fee hike

JAKARTA (JP): More than a hundred students of the state-owned Technical High School for Aviation Studies in South Jakarta refused to attend classes yesterday in protest over a recent increase in their school fees.

The students held a noisy demonstration in front of the school building, carrying banners reading "Bring down the school fees."

"Our school fees are higher than those of private schools," said Dodo, a third grade student. He was backed up by other students at the demonstration.

"The teachers said the money we paid was used to buy school equipment, but this is a state-owned school where the government has to provide special funds for the school," said Acil, also of the third grade.

He said that, in his grade, students have to pay at least Rp 18,000 (US$8.18) per month, while for the second and first years the fees are Rp 28,000 and Rp 33,000, respectively. Those amounts do not include fees levied for computer studies and other activities, he added.

The students also complained about the fees they have to pay for practical programs accompanying their third year class, known as PKL.

Each student has to pay at least Rp 380,000 for the 32-day- program, to cover electrical and motor workshops, and Rp 400,000 for electronics workshops, Acil said.

The students complained about the increases which they branded "irrational," given that since the last year the fee for practical programs was still Rp 320,000.

The PKL program, usually conducted in Bandung, is compulsory for third year students.

Five of students' representatives were received by the school's vice-principal Rustam Saragih, Acil said. "If the school refuses our demand we will demonstrate again," he said.

Rustam said that the decision to raise the school fees had been agreed to by the students' parents.

"It was increased by only Rp 2,000 at last week's meeting between parents and the school's board," Rustam said.

However, he said that, in view of the students' protests, the school would discuss the question with parents once again on Saturday.

"But for the PKL program the school can do nothing (about the fees) because it is related to other parties, who receive the students," Rustam added. (01)