What do parents say about school holidays?

JAKARTA (JP): Many parents want their children to continue learning, even during long holidays. But some parents say school holidays should not be used for studies.

Diana Nasution, a popular singer with three sons, said: "What do we do on school holidays? For the last few years I have taken my sons to my uncle's house in a fishing village on Bangka island in South Sumatra. We have also taken them to their grandfather's home in Ambon, Maluku.

"I hope my sons can learn that many people work hard for their livings. I also expect that they will appreciate their parents more because they have worked hard for them.

"That kind of holiday makes it easier for my sons to adapt to new environments. They don't complain about a lack of facilities in poor villages like Bangka and Ambon. They can experience something different from what they get at home.

"My eldest son is studying at a college in San Diego, the United States. I see he can easily adapt to his new environment. I think it was because I often took him to new places during school holidays.

"If I have enough money, we go abroad to places like Singapore, the United States or Australia. But we should save money before going abroad."

Lt. Col. E. Aritonang, a Jakarta police spokesman, said: "School holidays should be used as a holiday for students. No study. But it's better to offer them activities that can broaden their knowledge.

"I used to accompany my son to museums or to Borobudur temple in Central Java. It did not cost much but it was very useful.

"We went fishing when we were still in Palembang, South Sumatra. If I couldn't accompany him fishing, he went fishing with his friends. Sometimes my only son and his friends went to our garden house in Bogor, West Java, to fish in a pond behind the house.

"On another holiday, I took my son to his grandfather's home in a village in North Sumatra. We saw farmers gardening and planting vegetables. It was very interesting for us."

Rizal, a student at a senior technical high school, who lives in Karet Tengsin, Jakarta, said: "I cannot think about school holidays right now. I have to help my parents rebuild our house that was razed by fire. It really was a disaster for us and our neighbors. We could not salvage our belongings. (The fire razed at least 300 houses on May 19). Last year, I spent my school holidays with my friends camping on a mountain in West Java. I saved money for a few weeks before going camping."

Umar, an angkot (public minivan) driver in Cirebon, West Java, said: "My financial situation has meant that none of my three children have ever spent school holidays traveling since they were born. They just stay home, playing with each other and chatting with their parents. Even paying their monthly tuition fees has always been a problem for me, let alone giving them money to go on holiday. Just to let you know, my second child -- a girl at junior high school -- often comes back from school with tears in her eyes just because her teacher reprimands her about delayed fees. As a father with a daily income of between Rp 10,000 (US$4.10) and Rp 15,000, this hurts me a lot. That's why my first priority is to pay their school fees, not holidays. Sometimes my children, particularly the girl, complain about their holidays."

Hadis Hadiahnegara, an officer at the Jakarta Education Office, said: "I usually have special holiday programs for my only child, who is 22 years old and studying at a university. Every school holiday, we take her to visit her grandparents and relatives in their villages in Sumedang, West Java. My main objective is to let her learn about society and culture in the kampongs. So, she will know where she comes from and I hope it will have a positive impact on her future. Other students and parents may see this as an unpopular itinerary. I don't care and my daughter never complains about it."

Lusia Sutanto, president of the Santa Lusia study course, said: "If a holiday is long enough, I send my children to home- stay programs in countries like Germany, the United Sates and Australia, provided, of course, I have enough money. I think such programs are very useful for broadening my children's knowledge and improving their language abilities.

"If I don't have enough money to send my children abroad or if there is not enough time, we just spend the school holidays going to villages. But we should thank God that we can afford all of this. We also help other people so that they can also be happy during the school holidays."

Inke Maris, who owns a public relations office, said: "My children Yuma, Arman and Renatta will spend their school vacation abroad while taking some short courses.

"Arman will go to the United States, Yuman to Singapore and Renatta to Australia.

"Yuman and Arman are university students while Renatta is a high school student.

"I let my children decide where they want to spend their vacations. They prefer going abroad to Bali and Bandung, West Java."

Arbin Ichwan, a director at the mobile telecommunications operator Telkomsel, said: "My daughter Ibra Ufauwid, who is at secondary school, will spend her school vacation with the family.

"But this does not mean I will not allow my daughter to spend her vacation with her friends. I have to know who her friends are and where they will stay.

"I will first contact Ibra's friends' parents if they want to spend their vacation in mountains. (jun/lnt/bsr/10)