An NGO for Anti-corruption in Yogyakarta (Jaringan Masyarakat Anti Korupsi Yogyakarta) has asked government to stop educational retribution practices because this is seen as burdening the people. This is one of stances expressed during the National Education Day celebration on Tuesday (2/5) at the office of Centre for Anti-corruption Studies at Faculty of Law UGM (PUKAT UGM).
On the other hand, Yuliani from Saranglidi organisation that represents parents caring for education said that Indonesia’s education was still poor. Despite the increase in funding, the results are not what has been expected.
“Indonesian education systems are very messed up. Funding increases, but the output is decreasing. Many school children became dropouts while youth gangs were formed,” she said to journalists.
Such condition occurred because of – among others- the high tuitions being incurred on people as well as school autonomy that is not overseen well by the regional and central governments.
“These made the emergence of corruption practices in the education world,” she said.
To prevent the rampant corruption practices, Yuliani pressed the government and law enforcers to do preventive measures, eradication, and law enforcement. These are all deemed right for implementation to deal with corruption and retribution cases within Indonesian education.
Researcher from PUKAT UGM, Zaenur Rochman, added the need to have regulations related to education costs in primary and secondary levels that ban more costs to be incurred for education starting from primary to senior high schools.
“No more retribution is allowed as a consequence of the 12 years of compulsary study movement in the country. There has to be firm enforcement and sanction against schools that still ask for retribution or forced donation,” he said.
He also rejected the retributions that are legalised under Education Minister Regulations. Zaenur saw this as contradictory to National Education System Law Article 34 Paragraph 2 saying that governments guarantee the minimal learning obligation in primary level without incurring even a single cost. Education retributions are not in line either with the Compulsory Study regulation, Education Administration regulation, or Retribution and Contribution in Primary Schools ministerial regulation.
“We also asked the government to revise Education Funding government regulation, because Article 51 Paragraph 4 point c is contradicting the Natioanl Education System law,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tenti Novari Kurniawati from Institute of Development and Economic Analysis (IDEA) emphasised the need for good governance in managing education funds. Funding allocation for education in the State Budget in 2016 amounted as high as 419.2 trillons so that a good governance is required to make better education quality.
“A minimum of 20% from state budget in education sector and a minimum of 20% form regional budget have to be spent wisely in order that the right of citizens of education is met,” she added.