The misery of it all

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