'We have equal rights to quality education'

'We have equal rights to quality education'

Parents often complain about the cost of ensuring their children
receive a quality education, especially the illegal fees schools
often charge, while children of the very poor often miss out on
schooling completely. Most point the finger at the central
government, which they says lacks serious resolve in providing
education for the poor. The Jakarta Post asked some Jakarta
people for their thoughts on the issue.

Uchok, 30, is an activist with the Indonesian Forum for Budget
Transparency. He lives on Jl. Kramat Raya, Central Jakarta:

With a budget amounting up to over Rp 14 trillion (US$1.47
billion) this year, the city administration should have given
free education to all poor students in the capital so that they
could go to school without worrying about the money.

As you know, there are many students who suffer psychological
problems because their parents have problems paying the monthly
school fees.

Therefore, freeing such students from these sort of burdens would help
them to concentrate more on their studies. Only under these
conditions will the children of poor families do well in school.

I think the administration could cut its spending on seminars
and subsidizing various organizations, and use the money instead
to provide free education to poor students.

Rogit, 41, is a lawyer whose office is in Cipinang Muara, East
Jakarta. He lives on Jl. Raya Matraman, also in East Jakarta:

Everybody has an equal right to a quality education. We all
need to receive a quality education if we are going to be able to
avail of better human capital in the future.

Therefore, excusing poor children from the need to pay all
forms of fees connected with education is part of the basic right
to an education.

Both the central government and the local administration are
responsible for subsidizing the education of poor students. And I
think Jakarta has the capability to do so.

It is only a matter of political will on the part of the
city's leaders. If they really want to help the children of the
poor receive good educations, they should allocate more money on
education out of the city budget.

I think it is time for the city's leaders and the politicians
on the City Council to abide by their promises to the poor.
Exempting the children of the poor from school fees will help
them realize their true potential.

--The Jakarta Post