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.