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nternational standard state schools will be allowed to charge admission and monthly fees, despite receiving government subsidies.

The fees will be charged if the subsidies do not cover the school's upgraded facilities, head of the school committee forum, Bambang Sutomo, said Thursday.

"Although the schools have received subsidies, they are still allowed to charge fees because that does not run counter to the school-based management, in which each school must be able to fulfill their students' needs," he said.

The amount of fees will depend on need and should be discussed with parents on school committees, he added.

He highlighted the fact that the scheme can not be implemented at regular state schools as subsidies from the government and the administration, allocated in the state budget and provincial budget, are enough to finance the operation of the schools.

"Therefore, parents of regular school students will only have to meet the costs of their children's personal expenses. The schools are not allowed to charge them anything."

"The admission and monthly fees are included in the school budget *APBS* drafted by each school," he said.

"School officials and school committees should really scrutinize every item included on the budget and determine the priorities. The budget should also be accountable and accessible to all parents."

He said parents should make the most of school committees to avoid being charged unnecessary fees.

Each school should also have a special scheme to make education more easily available to students from poor families, he said.

"Schools should provide room to accommodate students who can not afford the fees, for example by applying cross subsidies or by giving discounts. Each school can create their own schemes."

Subsidies from the government and the administration are covered under the Operational School Aid (BOS) and Operational Education Expenses (BOP) schemes.

To receive BOS funds, schools can apply to the municipal BOS management, upon approval from the school's officials and committee and the head of the City Education Agency, Taufik Yudi Mulyanto said.

"The amount of the fund is calculated based on the number of students at the school, but there has been a standard for on the amount for each student, based on the BOS guidance by the government," he said.

For elementary schools, each student is entitled to Rp 400,000 per year (US$363), or Rp 33,300 per month. For middle school, the amount of BOS fund allocated for each student is Rp 575,000 per year, or Rp 47,900 per month.