The Effectiveness of Free Education Policy in (A Case Study on the district of Musi Banyuasin South Sumatera)

Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Department of Psychology, Mercu Buana University Jakarta Consultant of Bappenas Jakarta, 2011 Email : [email protected]

Abstract

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the free educational program that has been conducted in Indonesian local government. This study investigates a case study on the implementation of free education in the district of Musi Banyuasin South Sumatera. The research was conducted qualitatively by analyzing secondary data and conduct interviews with stake holders whom are the executive of education from the Department of Education, the Principal and parents. From the research, it was found that the implementation of free education in Indonesia is still a political commodity, free education policy in practice still have problems and weaknesses. The constraints faced by schools is the budget provided by the local government is the cost of education and minimum service standards budget given are not payed monthly, but given every 6months which causes problems and obstacles in school operations, which then affects the school’s ability to thrive and compete with other schools. In the implementation of free education, the school is still collects school tuition fee from the parents through the school committee, this is because it takes a very large budget. Free schools policy also has psychological implications, where students and parents tend to be less concerned about the needs of the school, because they think everything is free, so the students have low interest and motivation, causing them to change schools freely because of the free education policy.

Keyword : Policy, Free Education, District Musi Banyuasin

BACKGROUND

Education is an important element in every aspects of life of the Indonesians. The 1945 Basic Law (UUD) has mandated the importance of education for all citizens, as written in Clause 28B verse (1) and Clause 31 verse (1), which states that every citizen has the right to receive education. The development of education is very important because it plays a significant role in achieving progress in many aspects of life : social , economic , political , and cultural. . The Government have an obligation to fulfill the right of every citizen in obtaining educational services in order to improve the quality of life of the nationof Indonesia. This obligation is in order to meet the mandate of the constitution which states that the government takes full responsibility in the intellectual life of the nation and creating general prosperity , which is done through education. . The gap in education participation looks striking, among social groups (poor people ) and between categories areas ( rural - urban ) , and increased with the increasing of age. Therefore, educational development should be directed towards improving and expanding equitable access to education services , improved quality and relevance as well as the improvement of education management in order to face the challenges of change at local , national , and global levels .

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In addition , funding education is a very important issue in the education overall system development. Money is not everything in determining the quality of education , but all educational activities require funding. Therefore, if the performance of the education system is improved , budgeting management also could not be unseen , given that the budget should support activities . Not all Indonesian people are fully aware that the cost of a higher education will be able to overcome the problems of education , although not all problems will be solved completely .

The Government Regulation ( PP ) No. 48/2008 on Education Funding is actually quite clear that high levels of education funding ( not compulsory ) is a collaboration of funding by the Government / local authorities and the combination is valid for non - land investment costs and operating costs of non - personnel for the education unit established or organized by the Government / provincial Government. Meanwhile, as for the education unit established or organized by the community , the entire cost of both investment costs , operational costs , and implementation costs borne by society or by organizing the educational unit . The government and local governments are in a position to provide funding assistance to meet the needs of such costs. Thus , sources of education funding at the secondary level is more varied and has the opportunity to be synergized.

Moreover, the regional autonomy conducted since 2001 brought major changes in the management of education . In the era of autonomy, the regional government is responsible for the management at all levels of education beyond high ( elementary , junior high , high school ) , in terms of substance , the local government is responsible for almost all areas related to the education sector ( except curriculum and setting standards under the authority of central government).

. According to Wikipedia , the definition of free education is education provided to students free of charge . However , students may still have to get a free education expenses , such as books and other teaching materials . Free education can be given to students in the form of scholarships or grants that cover all or almost all of the expenses for school students .

The United Nations Educational , Scientific , and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO ) states that one of the goals of Education for All ( EFA ) is that schools should be free of charges. This means that parents do not have to pay school fees for their children to go to school . In addition, parents do not have to pay a variety of other expenses that make poor children do not attend school . These expenditures include purchase of textbooks , the cost of participation in sports activities , etc. . ( In Saparudin , 2002)

Study Problems

One of the many issues presented in the era of regional autonomy policy is about free educational funding . Free education policy is a populist theme campaigned by the governor . Free education certainly is a highly qualified sales policy in the context of attracting voters, but what are the implications and the implementation ? this is certainly an interesting topic for scrutiny , of the extent of free education policy effectiveness particularly in the Province of , especially in

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District Musi Banyuasin known as the pioneer of free education policy in Indonesia . This study is one small part of the research team studies by the education and religious directorate of Bappenas.

Purpose of the Study

1 . To identify the free educational picture in Musi , South Sumatra 2 . To find out the problems and constraints faced in the implementation of free education in the District Musi BANYUASIN

3 . To find out the psychological implications of free education for students and parents of students benefits

Review 1 . To have a picture of the pattern and the free education system

2 . Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of free school

3 . Be able to evaluate and give input in the implementation of free education

Research Methods

Samples from this study are from government and education entities both private and state spread across the Musi Banyuasin Regency , South Sumatra . Samples used in the study are taken by purposive sampling method , considering the school representation is classified based on school status , educational level and type of school . As for the schools that are considered representative is :

Regency School Government Agencies Kab.Musi Banyuasin SMA N 1 Sekayu DinasPendidikan Sumatera SMA N 3 Sekayu Selatan SMA PGRI Sekayu Bappeda Sumatera Selatan SMA Rahmaniah Sekayu Dinas Pendidikan Kab. SMK N 2 Sekayu Musi Banyuasin SMK N 1 Sekayu Bappeda Kab. Musi SMK PGRI Sekayu Banyuasin SMK Muhammadiyah

In addition , the respondents of this study is Bappeda Office and Provincial Department of Education , Office of the Department of Education and Bappeda Kab / Kota , Head of School and School Committee Manager . To determine the sample schools based on recommendations from the Department of Education Kab / Kota which is a school that is considered appropriate in this study . School to be taken consider as the representation of the state high schools and private high school , state and private vocational schools and the representation between management and technic vocational schools. The data collections are by collecting secondary data on the statutory regulations and strategic plan of education in South Sumatra Province Banyuasin, Musi. Primary data obtained

3 by doing interviews at the school , parents of pupils representative and head of education and Bappeda.

RESEARCH RESULTS

The Regency of Musi BANYUASIN is capitalized in the vast territory of Sekayu 14265.96 km2 or about fifteen percent of South Sumatra Province wide . Musi Banyuasin Regency is located between 1.30 up to 40 South Latitude and 1030 up to 1050 40 ' East Longitude . Now the limit is a Musi Banyuasin Regency :

• North Side with Province

• South Side

• West side of , and • East Side District BANYUASIN .

Based on Musi Banyuasin Regency Regulation No. 32 Year 2005 July 25, 2005 concerning the creation of two (2) districts in the regency Musi Banyuasin , then the amount of Musi Banyuasin Regency kecamaatan in the back consists of 9 districts , up to 11 districts .

Musi BANYUASIN has the potential of abundant natural resources , which is good , and not being developed in line with the development of socio-economic conditions of society. In this case Musi BANYUASIN excavation potential to enhance natural resources through the expansion of research and development programs ( Litbang ) on service - related offices .

Musi Banyuasin Regency economic conditions in the period 2002-2004 was encouraging with average economic growth of 3 percent per year . Solid economic sectors of capital managed by state- owned enterprises and large private sector , such as farm - processing industries and large plantations like rubber and oil palm.

Of work status , productive age population ( 15-64 years old) really work or Work Participation Rate ( GII ) reached 80 % of the total population of productive age . High labor force growth rate is not proportional to speed up the growth of employment opportunities is still a problem as large as 7.9 % unemployment . Another factor is still low dominant soul enterpreunership especially in young work force still expect employment in the formal sector seperto Governance, State-Owned Enterprises and Private Enterprises.

Implementation of Free Education

Musi Banyuasin Regency is one of the pioneers in the application of free education in Indonesia .

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District Musi BANYUASIN with PAD have a large regional budget from oil and gas revenue , so as to facilitate the funding of education until high school. And this policy is already implemented almost in all districts / city in South Sumatra province . The head of each governmental state has a commitment throughout the district in order to target school-age children to have access to primary and secondary education services free of charge. This commitment is emphasized in the applicable legislation in each region , ie the Governor Regulation ( Pergub ) in South Sumatra The adoption of this policy related to the second aspect , namely education funding formula , the level of education from basic to secondary school level . Model implementation of free education policy in both provinces , showing some formulations. First , track the implementation of free education . Implementation of free education funding set in place the legal regulations in each region are then followed up with the signing of an agreement (MOU ) between the Provincial Government and District / City Government . This seems to be more convincing performance guarantees free education throughout the province in question.

Umbrella law on the free education program is the Musi Banyuasin Regency South Sumatra Governor Rule No. 31 of 2009 About Maintenance Guidelines Free Schools Program in South Sumatra Province set the date of the occurrence , ie May 14, 2009 . In addition, the Governor and the Head of Deir II ( kab / kota) has signed an MoU on free education in South Sumatra . MoU between Pemprov . Sumsel the regency . Muba BANYUASIN . In this case, the District Musi BANYUASIN has more first free policies in education funding , but is one of the pioneers in the implementation of free education in Indonesia . Free education funding policy has done since 2002 . Free School is a program to ease the burden of parents / carers of students through the release of the obligation to pay school operating costs . School operating costs are costs incurred for financing activities of teaching and learning process consisting of : ( a) the cost of covering the cost of personal well-being of teachers, officers, and teachers' professional development , and ( b ) Non-personal cost that includes new student reception / birthday list students , supporting learning and teaching activities , evaluation / assessment , treatment / light maintenance , power and services , construction Studentship , and office stationery.

Based on a rule of thumb , the proportion of the financing component of free education funds for SMA and SMK students are : 50 % for teachers, 30 % of CBC , 10 % of extracurricular activities, and 10 % for equipment . In detail , in accordance with Article 12 Pergub Sumsel No.31/2009 , free school education fund preferred use for : a. Acceptance of new students ( administration , fotocopy , committee consumption , etc. . ) b . Purchase of reference books and textbooks for subjects collected in the library, c . Remedial learning activities , enrichment , ekstrakulikuler , etc. d . Funding daily repeat , repeat general , school tests , and report student learning outcomes , e . Purchase of consumables , f . Competitive funding and subscription services ( electricity, water , telephone , internet, environmental management , etc. . ) g . School care financing , h . Monthly honorarium payment contract teachers and educational staff honorarium , i . Teachers' professional development , such as training , KKG / MGMP , and PSC / MKKS , j . Transportation assistance for poor students who struggle with transport costs to and from school

5 k . Organizing free schools program administration ( ATK , multiplication , treasurer incentive arrangements within the framework of the free schools program reports , etc. . ) l . Purchase untukk computer learning activities of students , maximum 2 sets for SMA / SMK / MA , and m . Homeroom honorarium payments and principal representative and advantages of teaching hours .

Education funding policy committed secondary school level by the Provincial Government Regional Government of South Sumatra and Sulawesi regency administration has made arrangements BANYUASIN example and a clear division of the ruling Regencies / cities on free school funding education funding to secondary school level ( 12 years ) . Government and the government of South Sumatra kab / kota have shared a clear role and funding .

In the MoU between the Government of the Province Government Kab / Kota has agreed on sharing of funding for students , where 60 % are borne by the government Kab / Kota and 40 % incurred by the Provincial government . Funding assistance provided to schools in the form of cash grants SPP/BP3 the amount Rp . 90.000 , - per student per month for high school students and Rp . 100.000, - per student per month to students of SMK . Based on the proportion of technical instructions component of financing to fund free school education and high school students of SMK is 50 % for the welfare of teachers, 30 % of CBC , 10 % of extracurricular activities, and 10 % for equipment . In addition, provincial governments also help RSBI school funding and that is the government's responsibility in accordance with the Provincial government regulation No. 17 of RSBI .

Besides, in addition to providing funding assistance SPP/BP3 substitute Musi Banyuasin regency also bear the cost of electricity and water and build new vocational schools in some districts that do not have schools. Teachers and educators get a meal Rp.15.000/per day and also given the opportunity to pursue studies S1 and S2 through a scholarship program of District and Provincial governments . Schools can not collect at all, the school committee can not collect , including students able to also free , so there is no contribution from parents at all . Schools can collect school fees if they make a written statement to decline the help from the government on providing free of charge education .

Problems on Funding in the Field

From the results of interviews of teachers and parents of students representation , there are some problems faced by the school , as follows:

1 . Prohibited from collecting school fees from students and parents of students

2 . Funding provided by the Province or District government good is Secondary Education Standard Minimum provided, until school the vocational school particularly difficult to grow that require a lot of maintenance cost and practical costs

3 . Funds provided are often late and sometimes in rapel to 6 months , this makes the school should seek bailouts from various parties to carry out operational school 4 . Assistance provided to civil employees and the honorary teachers , while many schools still use teachers who has not been recorded , which results in a striking gap between the teachers 5 . School does not have a budget to do extra activities aimed at improving the capacity of students , all self- limited government budget.

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Psychological impact

1 . the student’s parents have less student responsibility and education for schooling their children because it they consider everything is funded by the government

2 . Students also lack the sense of responsibility because they do not charge a fee because there is no sense of responsibility

3 . At many private schools there are setbacks , because many students who switch schools as they wish and therefore it lowers the amount of students studying at private schools and prefering to study at public school

4 . Compensation for the cost of education is spend by many students / parents to buy motor vehicles for children in school , so they're less attention to other educational needs because the government considers all already incurred .

Conclusions and Recommendations

Free education in the district of Banyuasin is already running well . However, in the implementation, the school is facing problems mainly due to the financial system with overdue paid salary and given limited funds . Free education is an important educational program for the community , but in practice must comply with the requirements in the development of a decent education . To reduce the social gap and the jealousy among the society, should be given a is cross- subsidized education program, those who are capable paying the school fee are to pay and who can not afford are free of charges .

The budget given should be disbursed on time and not just the minimum standard of education , but the school should have a budget development and improvement of adequate facilities , so that schools can become the center of a qualified education. The average quality of education in the district of Musi Banyuasin is standard due to limited human resources and budget.

Although education is free , parents and students should also be given an understanding of the importance of responsibility in improving the quality , if they have the economic ability then it is

7 necessary to be given the undersstanding that they also should give a positive contribution to the school so that the school can thrive.

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_____ .Undang-Undang No.32 Tahun 2004 Tentang Sistem Pemerintah Daerah

_____ . Peraturan Pemerintah No.19 Tahun 2005 Tentang Standar Nasional Pendidikan

_____ . Peraturan Pemerintah No.48 Tentang Pendanaan Pendidikan

_____.Peraturan Daerah Provinsi Sumatera Selatan No.3 Tahun 2009 tentang Penyelenggaraan Program Pendidikan Gratis di Sumatera Selatan.

_____ . Peraturan Gubernur Sumatera Selatan No.31 Tahun 2009 tentang Pedoman Penyelenggaraan Program Sekolah Gratis di Provinsi Sumatera Selatan

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