Ministry of Education and Culture Discusses Kindergarten-High School Graduation Plans with Parents
The Head of the Education Standards, Curriculum and Assessment Agency (BSKAP) of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Anindito Aditomo, has addressed the concerns raised by parents regarding the graduation ceremonies for kindergarten, elementary, junior high, high school, and vocational students. Anindito, also known as Nino, emphasized that the Ministry of Education and Culture does not consider graduation activities to be mandatory or burdensome for parents and guardians.
In line with this, the Ministry has urged schools and school committees to engage in discussions with parents or guardians to determine joint activities at the school. This directive is in accordance with the mandate outlined in the Minister of Education and Culture’s Regulation Number 75 of 2016, which focuses on School Committees.
Furthermore, Nino highlighted the responsibility of local governments in overseeing schools and ensuring the protection of underprivileged students from any pressure to participate in graduation ceremonies. As per statutory provisions, early childhood education, basic education, and secondary education units are managed by the local government. Therefore, the supervision of these educational institutions falls under the jurisdiction of regional governments.
Concerns Raised by Parents
Parents in Indonesia have expressed their concerns regarding graduation activities at various educational levels, including kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school. These concerns were conveyed to the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Nadiem Makarim, through comments on his Instagram posts.
Some of the complaints raised by parents include the financial burden associated with graduation and farewell fees, the additional costs incurred by holding ceremonies in buildings and hotels, and the high fees set by schools that not all parents can afford. Additionally, parents have requested the abolition of study tours if they are merely disguised as outings for students, teachers, and their families. They have also raised concerns about class coordinators taking charge of celebrations such as Teacher’s Day and Eid, as well as associations that engage in illegal fee collection (pungli), leaving parents who are extorted afraid to speak up.
It is worth noting that the Minister of Education and Culture’s Regulation Number 75 of 2016 prohibits school committees from engaging in activities that harm the integrity of the school. Furthermore, school committees are prohibited from deriving economic benefits from their positions and from collecting fees from students or their parents or guardians.
The Ministry of Education and Culture is actively coordinating with regional governments to ensure the proper implementation of these principles, particularly in schools with diverse socio-economic backgrounds.
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How does the Ministry of Education and Culture address the concerns and financial constraints faced by parents and guardians regarding graduation ceremonies?
On and basic education should be free of charge and accessible to all children. Therefore, parents or guardians should not be forced to spend excessive amounts of money on graduation activities.
The Ministry of Education and Culture understands the concerns and financial constraints faced by parents and guardians when it comes to graduation ceremonies. As such, they stress that these activities should be voluntary and should not burden families financially.
The Ministry encourages open communication between schools, school committees, and parents or guardians. By engaging in discussions, they can determine suitable and joint activities for graduation ceremonies that meet everyone’s needs and are within the means of all families.
Additionally, the Ministry emphasizes the role of local governments in ensuring the well-being of underprivileged students. It is crucial to protect them from any undue pressure to participate in graduation ceremonies that may create a financial burden for their families.
In conclusion, the Ministry of Education and Culture aims to create a supportive environment for both parents and students during graduation ceremonies. They understand the concerns raised by parents and are committed to working together with schools, school committees, and local governments to ensure that these activities are voluntary, inclusive, and affordable for all families.