The misery of it all

In a rare event, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) was seen in Cileungsi, Bogor, at an elementary school, sitting with students and listening attentively to a teacher at work (Koran Tempo, May 1). This particular occasion, which appeared in most Jakarta dailies, was to mark National Education Day on May 2.

Looking at the picture, it seems like business as usual for the President, as if there were no problems with the nation's educational system. In fact there are huge problems, especially the hundreds of thousands of dilapidated school buildings awaiting renovation throughout the archipelago. The government has pledged approximately Rp 10 trillion to renovate schools over three years, after which, according to Vice President Jusuf Kalla, there will be no more ramshackle school buildings in the country (Kompas, April 29).

The problem now is how the government will set aside the funds for the work, as the prevailing system requires project-based programs with funds allocated in the state budget. Using this system, however, means repeating the corruption that will result in more substandard buildings as a result of the 50 percent to 60 percent of funds lost to corruption.

For SBY, it is time to implement his strategies and agenda items for his Cabinet, i.e. developing a sustainable socio- political system that constitutes a foundation for achieving a secure, peaceful, just, democratic and prosperous society. In order to develop this system, the poorest residents must be empowered.

One of the best ways to do this is by using sociologist Imam Prasodjo's model of people-based school building. Under this model, every (concerned) school establishes an independent school committee made up of teachers and parents to oversee the renovation of their schools.

Local district chiefs or subdistrict chiefs should not be part of the committee. Because they are required to supervise the renovation process, they must be helped by a technical team from a local university, with adequate remuneration so that the renovation process goes in accordance with the specified standards.

In financial matters, there should be a joint bank account overseen by another independent committee. The members of this committee may consist of teachers and public figures to ensure transparency and accountability.

M. RUSDI, Jakarta