Keeping up with the Widjayas - Part 2 (PENDING)

I have been informed that there are ongoing legal actions between the management of UPI and 'former' members of their teaching staff. As others may be joining the action and prosecutions under the Criminal Code of Indonesia are being considered by government officials, any comment regarding UPI is considered to be sub judice.

There are, however, parallels with other education/schooling institutions in Indonesia.

Following krismon (the economic meltdown in Asia of 1996/7), education was semi-privatized and a number of entrepreneurs, many with connections to Singapore, entered the schools 'market'. This has resulted in a management system which, when it talks about 'result' and 'stake-holders', is motivated by financial profits.

Salaries are a major expense, hence the notion of productivity. Native speaker teachers are employed because of their 'entertainment value', because "parents want to see a white face in the classroom". This, of course, negates the notion of teaching being a caring profession.

Read this thread to see how disenchanted many teachers are with their employers. It is a scenario which is far too common in Jakarta.