TEMPO.CO, Malang - Putra Sampoerna Foundation denied to have ever compelled their graduates at state High School 10 Malang to pay Rp150 million of school tuition. The Senior Director of Putra Sampoerna Foundation, Elan Merdy, said they never required both students and parents to sign contracts.
Elan continued that the 'chip-in' fund was done by the State Student Cooperatives (Koperasi Siswa Bangsa) consisting of alumni of Sampoerna Academy. "It is just based on their conscience. So, putting signatures are optional," said Elan to the reporters at Kertanegara Guest House, Malang, Friday, June 21.
The fund, he said, could be paid in 30 years without interests. The objective was to fund their junior fellows. This agreement (the educational contract) was bound to all Sampoerna Academy graduates first batch last year. Around 130 students signed the contract agreement. So far 30 students and parents have signed it. "It was not a problem then, why is it is now?" he said.
The Rp150-million funds were accumulation of the student’s annual educational cost that Putra Sampoerna Foundation spent for three years. The fund managed by the State Student Cooperatives, Elan clarified, was like a student loan applied in many other countries. Putra Sampoerna Foundation will hold a meeting with 150 students and their parents to clarify this matter. The People’s welfare commission from the Parliament has inspected the school or the Sampoerna Academy Malang last Thursday after receiving complaints from a number of parents.
EKO WIDIANTO