Govt rules out higher education budget<\/p>\n
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
President Megawati Soekarnoputri looks set to shatter people's
\ndreams of increased education spending when she announces the
\ndraft state budget for 2003 before the House of Representatives
\non Friday.<\/p>\n
State Minister of National Development Planning Kwik Kian Gie
\nsaid on Wednesday that education spending would not even exceed
\n10 percent of the total state budget, which is expected to
\nsurpass the current budget of Rp 344 trillion (US$38.2 billion).<\/p>\n
\"We do not have the money, it is impossible to allocate even
\n10 percent of the planned budget for education,\" Kwik said after
\na cabinet meeting to discuss the 2003 draft budget.<\/p>\n
The amended Constitution stipulates that the central and
\nregional governments must allocate 20 percent of their budget on
\neducation.<\/p>\n
Many have doubted the government's ability to meet the
\nrequirement.<\/p>\n
Kwik confirmed that education would top the government's
\npriority sectors, which consequently would receive the highest
\nallocation of development spending.<\/p>\n
One of the most applauded programs of Megawati was giving
\neducation the largest portion of the 2002 state budget at 24.7
\npercent of the total development spending, or Rp 11.6 trillion.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Megawati's administration had promised to set the
\neducation budget at around Rp 27 trillion for the coming fiscal
\nyear.<\/p>\n
The government had also hinted at preparing \"a surprising
\npresent\" for the education community, in particular underpaid
\nteachers, in 2003.<\/p>\n
It was not immediately clear whether other spending such as
\ndefense would also fail to live up expectations. The Ministry of
\nDefense has demanded Rp 10 trillion for the next fiscal year as
\nit needs more funds to improve the military's professionalism.<\/p>\n
Observers said the military deserved a higher budget following
\nits exit from the House of Representatives and People's
\nConsultative Assembly.<\/p>\n
Unlike in the past, Megawati will deliver the State of the
\nNation address and the draft budget at the same time on the eve
\nof the country's anniversary celebrations.<\/p>\n
The speech is part of a series of events held in observance of
\nthe country's 57th anniversary of independence, which falls on
\nAug. 17.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, Megawati will host flag-hoisting and lowering
\nceremonies at Merdeka Palace. Late in the afternoon she will hold
\na dinner party at the palace.<\/p>\n
On Aug. 18, the President is slated to celebrate the national
\nday with the public at the National Monument compound, which will
\nfeature popular dangdut music and puppet show performances.<\/p>",
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