We have the right to be educated: Children

We have the right to be educated: Children

Rizky KD Ntoma, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

National Children's Day is celebrated on Wednesday but somebody
forgot to tell the children of the capital, many of whom have no
idea that they have a special day just for themselves.

And though they may not be aware of their day, they do know
that they have certain rights that should not be taken from them.

Saifullah Imadudin, who is in his third year at state-run SD 4
elementary school in Jurang Mangu, Tangerang, told The Jakarta
Post on Tuesday that he never celebrated National Children's Day.

He said he only knew that children had the right to receive an
education and to express themselves.

"We have the right to be educated and are free to express
ourselves. But I wonder why my mother still had to pay a lot of
money when I was admitted to this school. I'm still lucky to be
able to go to school. What about those kids whose parents are
very poor," the child wondered.

His friend Wenny, who is in her fourth year at the school, was
also unaware of the special day.

"I just heard it from you that tomorrow is National Children's
Day. I don't even think my parents know," she told the Post.

Wenny, who hopes to be at the top of her class, said children
should be allowed to celebrate the day in their own way.

"Since tomorrow is an important day for us, my idea to
celebrate it is to exchange gifts among children. It would better
to exchange stationery or something useful for our studies," she
said.

Wenny also emphasized the right of children to receive an
education, be loved and have fun.

"As a child, I have the right to be educated like everyone
else and I'm thankful that I can go to school. We also have the
right to be loved, and of course to have the time for fun and
playing," she said with a big smile.

Dian Damaningtyas, a fourth year student at Pembangunan Jaya
elementary school in Bintaro, Tangerang, was aware of the day.
"My parents usually tell me (on the day) and buy me stationery."

She said all children should be treated special to mark the
occasion. "We should be very happy (on that day)," said Dian, who
wants to be a stewardess when she grows up.

The children also pointed out the importance of creating a
better Indonesia in the future.

Saifullah, who wants to be a doctor, said: "I wish there were
no criminals and Indonesia had a good government. Hopefully,
there will be another leader like Bung Karno." He was referring
to founding president Sukarno.

Dian said: "I don't want to say if President Megawati
Soekarnoputri is good or bad. I just hope that there will be a
qualified president in the elections in 2004 to make Indonesia a
better country."

July 23 was declared the National Children's Day by the
government in 1985, according to Presidential Decree No. 44/1984.

The day had been commemorated on June 17 since 1951, but then
minister of education Daoed Joesoef recommended that it be
celebrated on July 3, which was Taman Siswa Day. Taman Siswa was
the first educational institution for native Indonesians during
Dutch colonial rule.

However, different kindergarten organizations got together to
push for National Children's Day to be celebrated on July 23,
which was the date Law No. 4/1979 on children's welfare was
endorsed.

However, Olga, a mother of one, said she did not consider July
23 to be a particularly special day.

"For me the day is just a symbol. It is more important for our
government to pay more attention to children (every day),
particularly in providing affordable education.

"How can our children make this country better in the future
if not all of them can enjoy an education. Parents have to save
lots of money just to send their children to good schools. What
about the poor? They have the same right to an education as
everyone else," she told the Post.

Teachers said the day was never commemorated with any special
activities.

A teacher at SD 4 Margareth said: "We have never organized
anything special for the day. It would take a lot of money, which
would be better spent fixing up the building. You can see what a
mess our school is."

Pembangunan Jaya vice principal Santosa said the school had no
intention of celebrating the day.

"We only mention the day during a flag-raising ceremony. We
already have a busy schedule and dozens of activities. We usually
organize contests for Independence Day and religious events," he
said.