INDONESIA 2009 – Free School! Is that true?

August 22nd, 2009 by admin No comments »

INDONESIA 2009 – Free School! Is that true? PhotoMentioned on TV and radio and all multimedia about this good news, people, especially the poor ones, were really relieved because what they fear for the future of their uneducated kids had gone; their kids would go to school for free. From the bottom of their heart, they thanked to God and the people who had applied this policy. This could surely be a bright future for the country.

Now, in this middle of August, the program seems to be working well. But why do these poor parents of the kids studying in those free schools scream? Why do they still seem unsatisfied with this best schooling programs government has ever given? Is there something wrong with the program? Doesn’t the program run well?
Apparently, these parents do agree and even feel happy with the program. However, because of this free-schooling-program from the government, these schools that get appointed as one of free schools must struggle for survive. These schools indeed provide free schooling program for them who can’t afford the cost of monthly fee; yet for any other necessities, such as uniforms, guide books, lesson books, study equipments, students (or precisely the parents’ of the students) are obligated to support financially. There are also some other things that are actually not listed in studying-teaching process cost such as building renovation cost and special event cost. These are what make the parents cry out: Aren’t there any subsidies for the schools? Aren’t they appointed because of the quality and dedication that government counts on from them? What do they survive from?
Well, readers, this is just another ironic reality within educational program. I guess, no one knows for sure what actually happens and why this should happen. Do you?

EXTRA (BUSINESS) ACTIVITIES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

August 21st, 2009 by admin No comments »

EXTRA (BUSINESS) ACTIVITIES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS PhotoIt is no wonder to know that in point of commercial view, school is indeed in need of exposure and advertising to gain public attentions. It is done in many reasons:

- This school needs students to continue the existence and to promote its name in the local community’s insight.
- After gaining public attention, the school goes on exposing itself to show the quality and standard education the school could give.
- In the end, the school needs popularity.

There are actually extra activities that schools, especially those that emphasize on popularity, apply to support the education programs. This is always a good point that most of parents of the students in those schools agree and encourage their children to join the activities. However, there are also some extra activities which don’t seem to be functional and are just oriented in commerce. And this is not something that the schools actually need to do.
- Subject enrichment, for instance, is as a matter of fact an extra activity given by teachers to students after class is over. What is the point of this activity? Is it to give additional information to students on certain subject which actually is taken from the schoolbooks? Is it to manipulate the lesson during school time and emphasize it on the enrichment program?
- ‘Success Group’ is another activity teachers create to provide assistance for those students who could not get good score or could not pass final test (either the lessons are too difficult or just because of the students’ capability on receiving lessons). What kind of assistance does this group avail? How could this group assist the students? Is this activity including global education policy?

Nevertheless, it is sort of confusion where schools apply such things above on the other hand schools don’t want to lose their names and markets. Ironically, a lot of parents support those activities by the time their kids don’t seem to give good results of what they get from schools, at all costs.