Banyumas officials go back to school

Banyumas officials go back to school

PURWOKERTO, Central Java: A senior regency official here has
drawn attention to the fact that only 10 percent of the 4,366
officials working at the Banyumas administration have been
educated beyond high school.

Regional Secretary Soediman said the low education level would
be a drawback to the administration, especially when the new law
on regional autonomy was in place. The law is expected to take
effect in 2001.

"We realize our weakness. Nevertheless, it's not an easy task
for us to add or reduce our staff. Everything still depends on
the central government," Soediman said.

To overcome the education problem, he said that the regional
administration and Jenderal Soedirman University had agreed on a
joint program whereby 70 local officials could be sent to the
university to enhance their skills.

In return, the university would receive full cooperation for
any research involving the administration, he added. (45/02)