Councillors take degrees, funded by city budget<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Studying from birth until death appears to be
\nthe motto of 80 city councillors currently pursuing undergraduate
\ndegrees in political science and master's degrees in management,
\ncourtesy of the city.<\/p>\n
The chairman of the council's Commission C for budgetary and
\nfinancial affairs, Amarullah Asbah, confirmed on Monday that the
\ncouncillors' studies were being paid for with money from the city
\nbudget.<\/p>\n
\"I think it's normal to fund their studies since the city
\nadministration has allocated money for the education of its
\nemployees,\" Amarullah of the Golkar Party said. Amarullah is not
\none of the councillors pursuing a degree.<\/p>\n
He said continued education was necessary to improve the
\nknowledge of the councillors, who have the task of controlling a
\ncity administration run by officials with superior skills and
\neducations.<\/p>\n
A reliable source at the City Council said about 50
\ncouncillors were studying political science at the 17 Agustus
\nUniversity, while some 30 councillors were studying management at
\nthe Jagakarsa Institute of Economics.<\/p>\n
\"The lectures for both programs are held in the council
\nbuilding twice a week, in the evening,\" the source, who requested
\nanonymity, said.<\/p>\n
He said most of the councillors studying political science
\nwere from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
\nPerjuangan), including Sayogo Hendro Subroto, who is the chairman
\nof the council's Commission D for development affairs.<\/p>\n
Another councillor pursuing an undergraduate degree in
\npolitical science is Tadjus Sobirin, who is a former chairman of
\nthe Golkar Party's city chapter, the source said.<\/p>\n
The councillors studying for their master's degrees come from
\nvarious parties, including Pantas Nainggolan of PDI Perjuangan,
\nMuhayar of the Justice Party and Posman Siahaan of the Justice
\nand Unity Party, the source said.<\/p>\n
According to the source, some councillors who already have
\nmaster's degrees are still taking advantage of the free lectures,
\nincluding Wasilah Sutrisno of the National Mandate Party, who has
\na master's in religious studies. (jun)<\/p>",
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