There is anecdote in Indonesian culture that “Orang Miskin Jangan Bodoh”. Why? Because,the costs of education so high. How can they pay the cost of education if they are not smart? Some parents must think again and again to send their children to school to get a good formal education.The anecdote is not only a joke. The high cost of education is still pro and contra in the society. That’s why in my opinion, high cost of education should not be applied in Indonesia.
Education is human right for everyone. It means that everyone have the right to get education, especially formal education (we can see at UUD 1945 pasal 31 ayat 1) “Setiap warga negara berhak mendapatkan pendidikan”. Education is a progress of a country’s indicator. If there are average of people get high education level, it means that the country is progressing more and more.
But, in the fact not everyone get formal education because of some problems. One of the serious problems is the cost of education. Some people opine that the cost of education is so high for them, not everyone can pay it. So, they have no choices, except stop their formal education in low level or don’t get formal education anymore.
Education is the responsibilities of the government, included the problem of education’s cost. The government guarantee that everyone get a good formal education (we can see at UUD 1945 pasal 31 ayat 2) “Setiap warga negara wajib mengikuti pendidikan dasar dan pemerintah wajib membiayainya”, there should be no differences between good economic family and low income family for education.
In other side, education is a process to get science and everyone knows that science is expensive. There are some activities and facilities that need effort and cost for getting it. So, it seems normal if good economic family and low income family pay for high cost of education.
But, in the fact there are so many people who dissappointed about what they get. They have paid high cost of education but didn’t get facilities that have good quality. So, what the meaning “high cost for high quality?”
So, the conclusion is, because of education is human right for everyone and it is a government’s responsibility but in the fact not all people can get the education that caused by education’s cost, high cost of education should not be applied in Indonesia. So that, distribution of education can be a reality and everyone from all level economic family get good formal education.
