Surabaya Administration Threatens to Sanction Delinquent Schools

Surabaya, E Java (Antara) - The Surabaya city administration in East Java has threatened to sanction private schools that charge high entrance fees to poor students. "There will be sanctions," Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini said here on Saturday. The mayor was responding to a report that dozens of private elementary and junior high schools in Surabaya refused to enroll poor students, in breach of the city administration's rule. If private schools which have received school operational cost (Bopda) assistance still collect building contributions from new students, they will be deprived of assistance, she added. Rismaharini pointed out that the city administration has provided Bopda assistance not only to state schools, but also to private schools. However, many private schools still collect high entrance fees from poor students, she noted. In fact, private schools can apply to the city administration for building grants, including school instruments, provided they no longer collect school contributions from their students, she said. Rismaharini also expressed hope that junior high school graduates from poor families who have low exam grades would continue their studies at vocational schools. "This does not mean that vocational school graduates cannot pursue higher education at university. They can work while they study at a university," she said. She also proposed that elementary school graduates who fail entrance tests at private schools be enrolled at state junior high schools. "But this applies to junior high school only," Rismaharini said. (*) Reporting by Abdul Hakim