Gather The Principal, Mayor Of Surabaya Prohibited School Charges In Any Form

Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi met with elementary and junior high school principals throughout the city of Surabaya. ANTARA/HO-Surabaya City Government

Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi in front of all elementary and junior high school principals throughout the city of Surabaya banned levies in any form following the problem of alleged purchase of a companion book by a class coordinator (korlas) who had surfaced at SDN Ketabang Kali.

Eri said all public elementary and junior high schools under the auspices of the Surabaya City Government, East Java were not allowed to withdraw fees or levies for any reason.

"This is a meeting between the heads of public elementary and junior high schools throughout Surabaya. I emphasize that there is no cost incurred by the children under any pretext," said Eri Cahyadi as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, August 5.

He said, in learning there are main textbooks (mandatory books) and accompanying textbooks. The main textbook is loaned for free by the government.

As for companion textbooks, they are not required to be owned, they are supportive to enrich students' knowledge.

Eri said that the difference in ownership of accompanying textbooks should not cause jealousy between students.

"Moreover, don't let it be announced, oh this child already has and can buy a companion book, while other children haven't. Finally there is bullying (bullying). What I'm afraid of will damage the child's mentality," he said.

Walkot Surabaya also encourages teachers to be more creative in learning. So, children do not need to buy other supporting books outside that have been provided by the government.

"There is a mandatory book. Actually, the teacher can buy a companion textbook, it can also download (downloaded) from the Merdeka Belajar platform, put a big screen so that all students can see. If we want to enrich children's knowledge, the teacher must also innovate, collaborate with the committee. Don't choose to practically sell companion books to students," he said.

In order to anticipate the incident where the money for purchasing a companion textbook was repeated, he asked the principal of SDN and SMPN in the city of Surabaya to make a statement that he would not withdraw contributions from students.

"Don't make our children hurt by the existing system," he explained.

He also asked all events that cost high and burden students to be eliminated. For example, graduation can be replaced with simple works of art in schools. recreational events outside the city can also be replaced by visiting historical places in the City of Heroes, such as the birth house of Bung Karno and museums.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Surabaya Education Office (Dispendik), Yusuf Masruh, confirmed that the problem of arrears in the purchase of a companion textbook for three students at SDN Ketabang Kali had been resolved. In the future, the Surabaya City Dispendik will also map out the communication pattern of parents and schools to run side by side.

"Schools have many elements, there are students, teachers and parents of parents of students. For example, Korlas has hope for the son and daughter, this will be what we will map out the communication pattern to make it run better," said Yusuf.

He also hopes that each of the parents of the parents of the parents can put aside their egos for the benefit of the education of their sons and daughters.

"I think all of the targets must be the same for the future of the children, everyone has the same hope. So how can it be packaged in good school conditions," he said.

Previously, the alleged arrears in the purchase of a companion book for three students at SDN Ketabang Kali began with the purchase of a religious companion textbook for grade 6 students. The accompanying book for religious subjects was then purchased through a corlas of parents.

"Well, when there was the procurement of a religious companion book, there were three students who did not buy a book. Because the three students did not buy a book, in the end Korlas did not give the book," he said.

Actually, Yusuf continued, the three parents of the three students wanted to buy the book. However, the three parents were offended because their child did not get the book, until it finally went viral on this issue through social media.

"Probably, there is an offense between the parents and the corlas, because the child did not get the companion book. So there is no problem with the school," he said.