Subsidy for education left undelivered to 11 provinces<\/p>\n
Rendi A. Witular and Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta\/Yogyakarta<\/p>\n
With another fuel price hike looming, low-income assistance funds
\nfrom a fuel price increase in March have not been fully delivered
\nto the education sector.<\/p>\n
Minister of National Education Bambang Sudibyo said nearly Rp
\n2 trillion (US$200 million) in funds had not been distributed
\nproperly by local administrations to designated schools.<\/p>\n
\"There are several problems hindering the transfer of the
\nfunds, such as a lack of leadership in local governments and
\ninsufficient banking infrastructure in some remote areas,\"
\nBambang said after a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Following the increase in fuel prices in March, the central
\ngovernment allocated Rp 5.13 trillion as an indirect subsidy for
\nthe education sector. The money is part of Rp 17.8 trillion in
\nlow-income assistance funds to be disbursed to the poor this
\nyear.<\/p>\n
Bambang said some Rp 3.18 trillion of the subsidy for the
\neducation sector had reached targeted schools, while Rp 1.46
\ntrillion had yet to be channeled by local administrations for a
\nnumber of reasons. Another Rp 478 billion was never received by
\nlocal administrations because of bank transfer and leadership
\nproblems.<\/p>\n
Among the provinces experiencing trouble delivering the funds
\nto schools are Banten, Jambi, East Kalimantan, Central
\nKalimantan, South Kalimantan, Maluku, North Sulawesi, Riau
\nIslands, North Sumatra, Papua and West Irian Jaya.<\/p>\n
Since the rule of former president Soeharto, the government
\nhas provided assistance for low-income people in the form of
\nindirect subsidies, such as inexpensive rice and projects in the
\nfields of education, health and rural infrastructure.<\/p>\n
Bambang said the Ministry of Home Affairs would dispatch
\nofficials to help provinces deliver the funds to schools.<\/p>\n
The government announced on Monday that it planned to further
\nraise fuel prices before Idul Fitri. After this next price
\nincrease, the government will directly pay out Rp 100,000 in cash
\neach month to 15.5 million families, or some 64 million people,
\nliving on or below the poverty line.<\/p>\n
People will be able to collect the money at post offices or
\nBank Rakyat Indonesia branches.<\/p>\n
In Yogyakarta, Minister of Social Services Bachtiar Chamsyah
\nsaid making cash payments to low-income individuals was not the
\nbest solution, but at least it would help prevent social
\nupheaval.<\/p>\n
\"We expect the money to help people hit hardest by the soaring
\nfuel prices. After three months we will evaluate the scheme,\"
\nBachtiar said.<\/p>\n
The government will raise fuel prices in response to
\nincreasing oil prices in the international market. If current
\nfuel prices are maintained, it is estimated the state budget
\nwould soar to Rp 145 trillion.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/subsidy-for-education-left-undelivered-to-11-provinces-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}