Children Unable To Pay Tuition Fees Issued By A School In East Jakarta, KPAI Summons Disdik And Schools

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JAKARTA - The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) received a complaint about a student who was expelled from a private school in East Jakarta due to delinquency in the payment of educational development contributions (SPP).

KPAI Commissioner for Education, Retno Listyarti, said that the complaint came from the child's parents on Monday, January 4, 2021.

"KPAI has just received a complaint about a student from a private school in East Jakarta who was expelled from the school for being in arrears for tuition fees," Retno told VOI, Friday, January 8.

Retno said that KPAI was studying cases and analyzing complaints received. The plan is that, on Monday, January 11, KAPI will ask for clarification from the DKI Jakarta Education Agency and the Putra 1 Integrated Primary School Jakarta.

"According to the SOP, KPAI will ask for clarification from the defendant. Call for clarification on Monday at 13 WIB online," said Retno.

In this case, Retno views that the fulfillment of the right to children's education is a basic right that must be fulfilled by the state under any circumstances, including children who are educated in private schools.

"Paying tuition fees is a matter for parents and after all, their children's education rights are guaranteed. Schools can provide tuition waivers because educational foundations have social and humanitarian functions," he explained.

Previously, a grade 4 elementary school student at the Putra 1 Jakarta Integrated Primary School with the initials O was expelled from his school because his parents could not afford the educational assistance (SPP).

O's parent, Erlinda, admitted that she was unable to pay tuition fees since April 2020 because of her weakened economic condition due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Erlinda's restaurant no longer generates sufficient income to pay for her child's education operations.

Until December 11, 2020, Erlinda received a warning letter from the school to immediately pay off SPP O. For nine months, Erlinda was in arrears of tuition fees of around Rp. 13 million.

Erlinda was asked to make a statement from the RT and RT at her house in order to get payment relief from the school. However, Erlinda admitted that it was difficult to meet RT and RW in her domicile.

Unable to pay off her son's tuition fees, Erlinda received a notification from the school that O was prohibited from continuing her education starting December 23, 2020. Finally, Erlinda complained to KPAI.