The city administration's free tuition education policy has been warmly welcomed by city residents. Many hope the policy will help students at risk of dropping out of school stay on and complete their studies, although the potential effect of the policy on education quality in the city has not yet been studied. The Jakarta Post asked people their views.

Dewi Nurimah, 45, is a laundry worker. She lives with her family in Jati Beruk, Central Jakarta: I thought they (the administration) really meant it. I was so excited when my neighbors told me because one of my children entered junior high school this school year. But when I got to the school, they said that there were several fees that I must pay, in total Rp 1 million, including for uniforms and extra curricular activities. I was so shocked.

However, I can't do anything. I know there is no such thing as a free lunch nowadays. What I am thinking now is that the education of my girl must be fulfilled whatever it takes. I hope that the government is not just making empty promises about providing free education.

Fabio Valentino, 27, is an officer with a non-governmental group that educates street children. They are only bluffing. I know for sure that several schools, subsidized by the government, still charge additional fees, which keep burdening parents.

I hope the government will pay more attention to such conditions and guarantee that free education means free of charge. Schools are not allowed to charge parents. So I think the government should monitor every school in applying this policy. However, we have to be very grateful for this policy because if it is well monitored, many unfortunate poor children can go to school.