Minister seeks more funds for national education<\/p>\n
YOGYAKARTA (JP): Minister of National Education Yahya Muhaimin
\nhas proposed the budget for national education program be
\nincreased by 28 percent to Rp 25 trillion for the 2000\/2001
\nfiscal year.<\/p>\n
Speaking to journalists after attending a ceremony marking the
\n50th anniversary of Gadjah Mada University here on Monday, Yahya
\nsaid he hoped the House of Representatives would approve his
\nproposal despite the objections of some government agencies.<\/p>\n
"The National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) has
\nprotested my proposal," he revealed.<\/p>\n
Yahya contended that the 28 percent hike was a fitting
\nallocation compared to the whopping 62 percent increase demanded
\nby the defense ministry for the military and police budget which
\ncomes to Rp 18.9 trillion.<\/p>\n
"They (Ministry of Defense) argue that the higher budget
\nrelates to people's security. I could also say that if we want
\nour children to be smarter the Ministry of National Education
\ndeserves a bigger budget," Yahya contended.<\/p>\n
According to Yahya, if his proposal is accepted, his ministry
\nwould prioritize the improvement of education in elementary and
\njunior high schools.<\/p>\n
"We will stress character development in order for children to
\nbecome stronger in the face of the coming globalization era."<\/p>\n
He also said children must be given appropriate and adequate
\nbasic knowledge.<\/p>\n
Speaking about campus autonomy, Yahya said that further
\ndiscussions needed to be held on the best formula before a pilot
\nproject started at four universities, including Gadjah Mada.<\/p>\n
The three other higher institutions are the Bandung Institute
\nof Technology (ITB), the Jakarta-based University of Indonesia
\nand the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB).<\/p>\n
He retorted allegations that the campus autonomy program would
\nbe a way for the government to shirk its responsibility of
\nfinancing these universities.<\/p>\n
"The campus autonomy program is to empower people, to provide
\ninvestors with opportunities in education and at the same time
\nthe higher education institution is given the freedom to seek
\nfinancing," he said.<\/p>\n
Campus autonomy was introduced by then minister of education
\nJuwono Sudarsono during president B.J. Habibie's tenure.<\/p>\n
The government, through the concept, would provide less
\nfinancial subsidies to universities.<\/p>\n
As a consequence the higher institutions would be given the
\nfreedom to seek funds for their educational projects. The
\nuniversities would also be free to structure their own curricula.<\/p>\n
Asked if the campus autonomy program would financially burden
\nthe students, Yahya merely replied "I hope not." (44\/sur)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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