Alleged Extortion At Cirebon High School, West Java Education Office Summons Principal And School Committee

Daily Executive Head of West Java Education Office Ade Afriandi gave a statement in Bandung. (ANTARA/Ricky Prayoga)

West Java (Jabar) Education Office (Disdik) is clarifying and tracing information about illegal levies (extortion) practices in a high school in Cirebon City.

"Clarification has been carried out by the Regional 10 Education Office Branch Office together with school principals (kepsek) and school committees," said Acting Head of West Java Education Office Ade Afriandi when confirmed in Bandung, Tuesday, July 30, as reported by Antara.

Currently, his party is still waiting for the results compiled from the clarification process.

In addition, he also admitted that he had seen uploads on social media which stated that they were related to illegal levies in Cirebon accompanied by proof of money transfer.

However, he said the date listed on the proof of transfer showed the incident occurred in 2023.

"We know from Tiktok, in the post it turns out that the transfer is November 2023. But we confirmed first, what was conveyed was evidence of the transfer in 2023, now it's 2024," he said.

Even so, his party will continue to investigate the alleged illegal levies. This is because it is part of prevention efforts and asks schools and parents not to rush into activities outside the interests of learning in schools.

"This news is a reminder for all of us when PPDB (New Student Admission) is complete, learning starts, let children adapt first, don't be pushed by the school by the parent committee so that at the beginning immediately uniform all kinds of things. Later, gradually according to the abilities of parents," he said.

Regarding school donations from parents, he explained, this has been regulated in a governor regulation that mandates parents have the right to donate to schools as long as it is not burdensome.

"In the governor's regulation, it is justified as long as it is not binding and futures and is not regulated by the school. For example, I am the parents of the students, when I entered there was a meeting and there was a desire from my parents. What can we help, if it comes from my parents and it is agreed that there is no problem. But if the school asks to donate, it is not appropriate," said Ade, without mentioning the regulation in question.

Previously, through a video uploaded to Tiktok's account on Sunday 27 July, PDI-P DPD Chairman Ono Surono said he received complaints from parents regarding illegal levies at a high school in Cirebon City.

"Yesterday someone sent a number of photos to my WA chat. Maybe the photos showed information that there was a meeting between the school committee or the school and the parents of a high school student in West Java," said Ono in the video.

He revealed that the first photo information contained participation needs of Rp3,315,500,000 divided by 349 students so that the result was Rp9,500,000 which had to be paid for one student.

"In the photo, there is also information that the costs have covered KIP's cross subsidy and cover eight program standards," said the prospective West Java gubernatorial candidate.

He said there were also photos that informed the recapitulation of the 10th class budget plan, which was the same total, namely Rp3,315,500,000.

Another photo in the form of proof of transfer addressed to the BJB account number in the name of the Bend SMA Negeri 1 Cirebon Committee amounting to Rp7,500,530 with the news "Connuction of the School Committee".

"Well, so of course I want to know more, whether the participation of these donations is really justified according to the regulations made by the West Java Provincial Government cq West Java Education Office," he said.

Ono Surono also said that this also needed to be checked again, whether the meeting had actually been approved by all parents of students who were present or those who were not present to pay the amount of participation in donations of Rp9.5 million.