Angie at her new school

Angie started her first day at senior high school on Monday July 17, 2006. She got accepted at the most favorite state high school in my hometown, SMA N 3 Semarang. I used to study in the same high school. In fact, I just found out that I even feel more excited to know that Angie got accepted at this high school than when I was accepted there in 1983, 23 years ago. The excitement felt by the parent is much bigger than the excitement felt by the child when talking about the child’s success? Probably. LOL.
Based on the experience the previous years, the municipal government of Semarang this year applied a policy where each state school gave more chances for candidate students living in the nearest districts than those living far distance. The comparison was 60% for candidates living in the same districts with the school; 30% from different districts but the same town, Semarang; and 10% from out of town. It is expected that smart students wouldn’t gather in some state favorite schools and leave the other schools for less smart ones. This was exactly what has always happened before.
From the result, this new policy seemed successful. No state school lacked new students. Last year, some state schools located in the suburb didn’t get enough candidates. And from the local newspaper on Sunday July 16, 2006, the municipal government announced that next year the quota for each state school will be increased 10% to respond the society’s need. Studying in state schools is considered as something more prestigious here rather than in private schools due to the cheaper school fees; except some favorite Catholic private schools that always get quite a lot of interest from society. They have their own segment.
A new policy always attracts people’s debate. Some are pro and some are con.
Some parents of Angie’s friends living in different district from SMA N 3 complained to me, and said something showing their jealousy, “Angie is lucky to be accepted there coz she lives in the same district.” It sounded to me like, “Angie is not that smart actually. She was JUST lucky.” I didn’t give a damn on such comments anyway. As a teacher having experience to face many kinds students with their capability and skills, I know that Angie is a smart kid. And as the mother, of course I encourage her that she is smart, she deserved to be accepted in that most favorite state school in Semarang.
For the 10% more quota for state schools next year, some private schools that don’t get enough interest from society see it as a threat that they will lose some potential candidate students. It means they will get less income. Less income means less welfare for the schools and also for the teachers working there. Less welfare for the teachers will probably influence the teachers’ spirit to give the best to their students. Well, the fact that the salary for teachers in Indonesia is still less than the neighboring countries is indeed undeniable. As a result many teachers have to do side jobs to make their ends meet; one thing that makes them not able to do their best in fostering the education for the future generation.
PT56 20.17 160706