'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