August 2019 School Fee Hike Fuels Inflation

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded inflation of 0.12% month-on-month in August 2019. The highest contributing factor to inflation was the education, recreation, and sports group, reaching 1.21% with a contribution of 0.09%. BPS Head Suhariyanto stated that the cause of the high inflation from this group was due to an increase in elementary school tuition fees by 0.04%, junior and senior high school tuition fees by 0.02%, and university tuition fees by 0.01%.

Furthermore, the housing, water, electricity, gas, and fuel, as well as clothing groups contributed 0.06%. The housing, water, electricity, gas, and fuel group experienced inflation of 0.23%. The clothing group experienced inflation of 0.88%.

Meanwhile, deflation occurred in the food commodities group at 0.19%. Several commodities contributing to deflation in the food commodities group were shallots, garlic, and broiler chicken. In addition, the transportation, communication, and financial services expenditure group also recorded deflation of 0.55%. Airfare also contributed to deflation.

(Read Databoks: [The Higher the School Level, the More Expensive the Education Costs](https://databoks.katadata.co.id/datapublish/2019/07/09/semakin-tinggi-sekolah-kian-mahal-pula-biaya-pendidikan))