'Why is education so expensive?'

As registration for new students has started, many parents will be spending a lot of money on registration fees. Most of them question why the school fees, especially the state schools, are so expensive. But they are willing to pay anyway, as they want their children to go to good schools.

Jailani is a parking attendant at a hospital in Jakarta. He lives in Serpong, Tangerang, Banten province. His son had just finished elementary school and his daughter junior high school.

"I really have a big headache. My two children have to register in junior high school and senior high school respectively. My son has just been accepted at a state junior high school. But I don't understand why it is so expensive. I am required to pay some Rp 1.5 million in total for building maintenance fee, school uniforms, books, and other things.

Now I am seeking a school for his elder sister. I don't know how much I will have to pay for the registration fees and other fees for her.

Education is now very expensive. It is unaffordable, particularly, for low-income parents like me. The condition is worse compared to the New Order era under former president Soeharto. It seems that our leaders never think about the fate of the poor people.

During election campaigns, they pledge many things, including free education. But all of them forget their promises after they have good positions. Therefore, I will never ever take part in the campaigns. The general election was only used by them for seeking positions. All their promises are only bull s...t."

Delicia, 41, is a mother of three daughters who resides in Gading Serpong housing complex in Tangerang. Her youngest daughter is about to enter junior high school. Her husband works for a cigarette company as a marketing supervisor.

"Talking about school tuition, I realize that private schools are more expensive than state schools. This is the consequence of enrolling my daughter at a private school here.

But I prefer to send her to a private school as I believe that the school will provide better education. This is what they give in return after requesting (a new students) to pay between Rp 5 million and Rp 6 million.

However, I regret that many rich parents pretend to be poor and ask for the privilege of paying less for the tuition. I hate them doing that.

Due to such a situation, sometimes the school management applies rigid rules. They ask all parents to pay high fees regardless of their social status. Not all parents can afford the set tuition fees. It is a pity to see how the same request is imposed on the poor families.

Ponijo has been working as a news agent for more than 10 years. He and his wife, who works as a nurse in a hospital, have four children. His eldest daughter is going to start her first year at a state senior high school in Palmerah. He lives in Slipi Jaya, West Jakarta.

"I am happy to know that my daughter has been accepted at a state senior high school.

The school entrance process is not easy now as I had to monitor several schools to check the fluctuating grades of the applicants. I was worried, my heart was beating fast.

So far, the school has not informed me about how much I have to pay for the tuition. Looking at last year's fees, I should prepare a little more than Rp 1.5 million.

Of course it's really difficult for me. But, like it or not I have to be able to afford it. Otherwise my daughter's future will be even worse than her parents'."

Rina Marlina, 43, is an employee of a private company on Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said and a mother of three children. Her son has just registered at a state-owned junior high school in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta.

"Applying for a new school is always a headache. On the one hand, I want a good education for my children. On the other hand, good education requires more money. Worse still, the competition to get a place in a good school is always stiff.

I have to pay at least Rp 3 million for the initial registration for my son, who has just finished his entrance test for a state-owned junior high school. Hopefully, he will get a good score so he does not have to apply for a private school.

My family could still afford the fees of a relatively good private school, however, it would be better if he secures a seat in a state-owned school. I have other children, who are currently in university and high school. And they also need money for education."