{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1656807,
        "msgid": "ministry-seeks-rp24-8t-additional-budget-to-improve-religious-schools-1775652777",
        "date": "2026-04-05 16:39:58",
        "title": "Ministry seeks Rp24.8T additional budget to improve religious schools",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_EN",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "Indonesia's Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar has proposed an additional Rp24.8 trillion budget to bridge the gap between madrasahs and general schools through revitalization, digitalization, and support programs. Key allocations include Rp13.7 trillion for upgrading 7,131 religious schools across various faiths, Rp10.9 trillion for modernizing classrooms, and smaller funds for free books and high school transformations. The proposal also aims to expand the Free Nutritious Meal program's reach in madrasahs and pesantrens, which currently covers only 10-12% of students compared to 80% in general schools, underscoring the government's commitment to inclusive religious education.",
        "content": "<p>\u201cThis budget proposal is our effort to ensure there is no longer a\ngap between madrasahs (Islamic schools) and general schools,\u201d Religious\nAffairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar said in a statement on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>He detailed that the additional budget would be allocated to several\nstrategic programs, including Rp13.7 trillion (US$801 million) for\nschool revitalization.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, Rp10.9 trillion (US$637 million) will be dedicated to\nthe learning digitalization initiative to modernize classrooms.<\/p>\n<p>The minister stated that Rp159 billion (US$9.3 million) will be\nallotted to the free books assistance program to support students.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, Rp22.9 billion (US$1.3 million) will be allocated to\nthe Garuda Top High School Transformation program.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe government must be present and provide equal attention,\u201d Umar\nstressed while calling for equal treatment between general and religious\neducation.<\/p>\n<p>A primary focus of this proposal is the urgent need for\ninfrastructure and facility improvements across the religious education\nsector.<\/p>\n<p>The school revitalization budget is planned to target 7,131 schools,\nincluding 6,973 madrasahs and 128 Christian schools. The plan also\ncovers 13 Catholic schools, nine Hindu schools, and eight Buddhist\nschools to ensure inclusive development.<\/p>\n<p>Umar highlighted that many madrasah buildings require serious repairs\nand noted that infrastructure quality reflects the state\u2019s commitment to\nreligious education.<\/p>\n<p>Another point of concern for the minister was the Free Nutritious\nMeal (MBG) program which currently has limited reach in religious\ninstitutions.<\/p>\n<p>Currently, the program\u2019s reach within madrasahs and pesantrens stands\nat only 10 to 12 percent.<\/p>\n<p>This coverage lags significantly behind general schools where the MBG\nprogram is projected to reach 80 percent soon.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGiven the economic conditions, madrasah and pesantren students are\nin dire need of this support. We hope the program\u2019s reach can be\nexpanded,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>He noted that pesantrens possess a prepared ecosystem for the MBG\nprogram as they are accustomed to independent kitchens and communal\ndining.<\/p>\n<p>Umar expressed hope that the budget proposal will be approved to\naccelerate the development of an inclusive religious education\nsystem.<\/p>\n<p>Related news: Ministry strengthens educational, religious facilities\nin Maluku<\/p>\n<p>Related news: Gov\u2019t to rebuild disaster-hit religious schools in\n2026<\/p>\n<p>Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Raka Adji<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ministry-seeks-rp24-8t-additional-budget-to-improve-religious-schools-1775652777",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}