'What is the real meaning of free schooling'

'What is the real meaning of free schooling'

The Jakarta administration is intending to provide free education
for all children, allocating more money to cover operational
expenses of state elementary and junior high schools. The Jakarta
Post asked residents about their thoughts on the issue.

Slamet Santoso, 38, is a marketing officer at a four-star
hotel in Jakarta. He lives with his wife and two children in
Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta:

I have one child in elementary school and one in junior high.
It's been a headache for me to pay the education expenses for
them. I want my children to have the best education but the best
schools mean high costs. That's why I really welcome the idea of
free schooling.

However, I am afraid that free schooling will be just another
empty promise from the government as I doubt the effectiveness of
the plan's implementation. What "free schooling" will probably
mean is that parents will not have to pay monthly tuition fees.

Although this will help parents, monthly tuition is just a
small part of education costs. What about books, uniforms and
school building fees? Huge amounts of money are paid in these
fees every month.

The government should also monitor and evaluate the
implementation of the program in all schools so that none of the
schools' principals dare to misuse the fund.

Hartati, 42, is an owner of a beauty clinic in Mampang, South
Jakarta. She has raised her 10-year-old daughter and her 13-year-
old son by herself:

I still don't understand the meaning of free schooling. Does
it mean all citizens don't have to pay if they enroll their
children at any schools, like the national program in Germany, or
are only certain schools free ones.

If it applies to any school then it is very good news indeed
but if it only applies to certain schools then it should be clear
what the criteria is to receive government assistance.

I think the government should clarify what free schooling
means so people don't become angry or jealous if their school
misses out.

I personally doubt that schools like the one my children are
enrolled in will be free from fees. Where else will they get the
money -- the government funding is too small to cover their
expenses.

-- The Jakarta Post