Parents in Jember Protest School Fees

We are poor people. The illegal education retribution is too much for us," Hakman Tumanggor, the action coordinator told Tempo.According to Hakman, the costly fees includes contributions for the school building, construction, books and uniform.The fees apply to almost all elementary and high schools, new students are being accepted, currently taking place.Hakman said that the Regent in Jember must provide a policy banning such retribution at schools. "We demand that the Jember Regent and Education Department chief take firm action or penalize the school principals or teachers who impose these illegal fees," said Hakman.This issue has also upset Asmuri, 36, a becak driver who has just enrolled his child in State Elementary School 11.He said his child was required to pay Rp 250.000 for books, Rp 300.000 for uniforms, on top of that, a minimum of Rp 750.000 as donation. "How can I get that much money," Asmuri cried.Unfortunately, the parents' efforts to meet Regent MZA Djalal ended in failure, since he sent his assistant, Edy Budi Susilo instead to meet them."We are really disappointed. The Regent only cared about ceremonial events like the Visit Jember Month," said Hakman.

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