Bagus Kurniawan/FW, Yogyakarta – Students from various universities across the ancient royal city of Yogyakarta took their action to the street to commemorate National Education Day, which falls today, Wednesday.

The students voiced their concerns over the poor quality and policy of the education system in the country. Some of the universities who joined the action were the prominent Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Yogyakarta State University (UNY), National Islamic Institute of Kalijaga (IAIN Kalijaga), Sarjana Wiyata Taman Siswa University, Janabadra University and UPN Veteran.

Each university apparently had different themes and demands on their action. Yogyakarta State University said their action was only to show their concern over the myriad problems in the education.

Meanwhile, Gadjah Mada University demanded the government to pay a more serious attention to education by firstly, improving the quality, education system and the education budget. Secondly, they rejected government effort in politicizing and commercializing the education. Thirdly, they rejected the so-called campus autonomy.

The rally was relatively small and was proceeding peacefully. Each group – UGM, UNY and IAIN Kalijaga – only consisted of 50 students. While Sarjana Wiyata Taman Siswa University had the largest number of demonstrans, around 300 students. They marched from their Campus II at Jl Batikan to their Campus I at Jl Kusumanegara, which is around 1,5 km.

Along their way, they showed happening art on the deteriorating condition of national education. They also held out a poster of Ki Hajar Dewantoro – the national education hero - a banner with writings "Return the education to the people".