The Jamby city authority has threatened to dismiss the principals of schools that illegally charge students to enroll.
"I will evaluate all school principals regarding the new students' enrollment procedures," Mayor Bambang Priyanto said Wednesday.
He said he had been informed of indications of fraud committed by a number of school principals, such as demanding high re-registration fees of up to Rp 2.6 million (about US$260). Schools are also alleged of trading placement seats.
Jambi municipal council Commission D member Paul Andre Nainggolan applauded Bambang's stance and said he was anxiously awaiting enforcement of the plan.
"Don't just evaluate. If any fraud is found, just dismiss the principal," he said.
Paul added that sanctions, such as dismissals, were necessary as a deterrent to other possible perpetrators.
He urged authorities to take stern action against principals found to have elicited illegal fees from parents in the enrollment process.
Commission D of the Jambi municipal council has planned to summon the Jambi City Education Office head in regards to the issue.
"We will immediately summon the education office head," Paul said.
Separately, education office head Syihabuddin said he agreed on the planned evaluation, "So that those who commit deception can be found," he said.
He said an evaluation would be needed to determine whether violations were deliberate.
He said it was not a violation if schools accepted bright students who had not taken enrollment tests.
"But accepting more students than the allowed number of 40 in a classroom would be a serious offence," he said.
City residents have been complaining that school enrollment fees for entrances to certain public schools are higher than those for private schools.
Many have deemed that public schools should not set fees above those of private schools. The Jambi municipal council has planned to hold a hearing on the issue.
Councilor Iskandar said the mayor should immediately resolve the issue.
"I want the mayor to heed the voices of councilors as well," he said.
He said schools executive boards should not have the sole right to determine enrollment fees or any other rule that concerned the public interest, adding that councilors should be consulted in such decisions.
