Govt plans education changes

JAKARTA (JP): The government is considering granting universities greater autonomy in financial management and allowing classes to be taught in English, an official from the Ministry of Education and Culture said here yesterday.

The director general for higher education, Bambang Soehendro, said the loosening of restrictions was in anticipation of the possible influx of foreign universities in the free market era.

"We have been pondering the kind of deregulation necessary so state and private universities can improve their quality while competing with foreign institutions," he said.

But Soehendro said the use of English to teach classes would only be allowed at private universities.

Soehendro hopes this move will heighten students' mastery of English.

Soehendro's remarks came after a statement by State Minister of Administrative Reforms TB Silalahi who earlier this week hinted at the likelihood of deregulation in the education sector.

Silalahi said the deregulation would allow foreign educational institutions to set up here.

He hinted that the deregulation could begin as early as the end of this year, adding that the overall aim was to spur better quality education in the country.

Any deregulation in the education sector would significantly effect government regulation No. 30/1990.

Chapter 120 of the regulation prohibits foreign institutions from setting up universities in Indonesia.

Soehendro said there would likely be a revision of the regulation, including rules which allow the government to intercede in the financial matters of state universities.

"The government will no longer meddle in money matters, we will give them self-autonomy as long as they can show accountability," he said. (09)