Govt allocates Rp 60b for private vocational schools

Govt allocates Rp 60b for private vocational schools

Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Ministry of National Education has allocated Rp 60 billion
(US$7.06 million) in grants for hundreds of private vocational
high schools this fiscal year in an attempt to improve their
capabilities and facilities.

The ministry's director of technical and vocational education,
Gatot Hari Priowirjanto, said on Monday that between 600 and 900
private vocational schools would each receive between Rp 50
million and Rp 100 million in cash.

A recipient school would be required to use the grant to build
three new classrooms, said Gatot. However, if a school had enough
classrooms, the money could be used to buy more facilities to
help students improve their skills, he added.

"Each school has to declare its commitment to admitting at
least 72 new students in the next academic year in exchange for
the grants," said Gatot.

To be eligible for a grant, a private vocational school must
have between 200 and 500 students and a school committee, and
have graduated at least two classes. The grants would not be
available for schools that have received funding from other
institutions.

"A school with less than 200 students can collaborate with
another small school to submit one proposal," said Gatot.

The schools that receive the grants, and their umbrella
organizations or local administrations are also required to
provide matching funds equal to the amount of the grants to
ensure the success of the project.

"They should be committed to providing the funds and will have
up to two years to fulfill their commitment," Gatot said.

Interested vocational schools should submit their proposals to
the provincial education agencies by June 15. The verification
and selection process will be conducted in July by a team that
will include representatives of education offices at the
provincial and regental levels, and private vocational schools.
The results, set out in table form, would be posted on the
relevant provincial education office's website.

The grants will be awarded to a those schools with the highest
rankings by August, said Gatot.

There are some 3,900 private vocational high schools across
the country.

"We hope to be able to provide grants for all the schools
within five years," Gatot said.