Budget for education still way below standard

Budget for education still way below standard

P.C. Naommy, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Minister of Finance Boediono told the House of Representatives
Commission VI on Monday that 2009 would be the earliest that the
government could provide the 20 percent budget allocation for
education as required by law.

During a hearing with the Commission responsible for education
and culture, Boediono said that this projection could only be
attained under the assumption of a minimum 5 percent annual
economic growth and 8 percent budget expansion during the next
five years.

Boediono's scenario projected a maximum budget allocation of
22.5 percent by 2009, with the understanding that routine
expenditures for teachers' salaries and departmental
administration costs would be deducted from that amount.

According to Article 49 of Education Law No. 20/2003, the
government should provide a minimum allocation of 20 percent from
both the total state budget and the total regional budget.

However, the State Minister of the National Development
Planning Board (BAPPENAS) Kwik Kian Gie, said this target was
unrealistic.

Kwik said: "It could be said that Indonesia is bankrupt right
now. I just can't understand how the House members could possibly
ask for that large an amount while Indonesia is at its lowest
financial condition."

Kwik also expressed irritation about the inconsistency of the
House members who at one time required 20 percent allocated for
education, while on the other hand, through its budget committee,
it only approved 3.49 percent.

Concerning the 20 percent requirement cited by the House
Commission VI this year for the education fund, Kwik said "that
is a hard request to grant." He explained that 20 percent of the
entire state budget would total Rp 87.7 trillion, while the total
allocation for all development, from which the education fund is
derived, is only Rp 70.9 trillion. "That means we'd face a
deficit of Rp 17 trillion (assuming no other development-related
allocations)."

Previously, the chairman of the House Commission VI
Taufiqurrachman Saleh lamented the insignificant allocation for
education proposed by the government, saying it did not show
enough concern for students or teachers.

The government has allocated Rp 15.3 trillion for the
education sector or 3.49 percent of the total state budget of Rp
439.8 trillion in 2004, which was only 1.2 percent higher from
the Rp 12.8 trillion allocated in 2003.

Other Asian countries, such as Malaysia, Thailand, the
Philippines and Singapore show great concern in developing their
education sector by respectively allocating 23 percent, 22
percent, 20 percent and 19 percent from their total state
budgets.