Students protest over fee hike

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)