Jakarta, IO – A number of parents of high school students in Tulungagung, East Java, have complained that the price of school uniforms that exceeded Rp2 million.
Parent of a student at SMAN 1 Kedungwaru, Tulungagung, revealed that the price for school uniform packages sold by the cooperative was unreasonable as the whole package costed Rp2,360,000, per BBC Indonesia, Tuesday (25/7).
Some of them are in the form of cloth that still needs to be taken to the tailor to be sewn according to the children’s measurements. The price is even way more expensive than similar cloth sold in the local market.
“School is free, but school uniforms are expensive,” one of the parents lamented.
SMAN 1 Kedungwaru spokesperson Agung Cahyadi, said the school does not require students to buy uniforms. They only facilitate the purchase of uniforms that students need.
“There is no obligation at all. Even if you buy it outside with a slightly different color, the gradation, that’s okay. Maybe some are a bit darker, or lighter, as long as the color is relatively the same, it doesn’t matter,” said Agung.
In response, East Java deputy governor Emil Dardak said he has asked the education agency to issue a circular to each public high school/vocational school to address the matter.
Emil also highlighted school cooperatives that sell cloth at exorbitant prices, as happened at SMAN Karangrejo, Tulungagung. The price for uniforms at the school cooperative should be lower than the market price, because the materials are purchased in large quantities.
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“One set of cloth sells for Rp575,000, which is white and gray, whereas it’s Rp170,000 outside,” he told detikjatim, Friday (21/7).
He stressed that students must not be required to purchase uniforms with the school. In addition, he reminded parents not to pay solicited donations to schools because this could lead to discrimination. (rr)