Govt rules out higher education budget

Govt rules out higher education budget

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri looks set to shatter people's
dreams of increased education spending when she announces the
draft state budget for 2003 before the House of Representatives
on Friday.

State Minister of National Development Planning Kwik Kian Gie
said on Wednesday that education spending would not even exceed
10 percent of the total state budget, which is expected to
surpass the current budget of Rp 344 trillion (US$38.2 billion).

"We do not have the money, it is impossible to allocate even
10 percent of the planned budget for education," Kwik said after
a cabinet meeting to discuss the 2003 draft budget.

The amended Constitution stipulates that the central and
regional governments must allocate 20 percent of their budget on
education.

Many have doubted the government's ability to meet the
requirement.

Kwik confirmed that education would top the government's
priority sectors, which consequently would receive the highest
allocation of development spending.

One of the most applauded programs of Megawati was giving
education the largest portion of the 2002 state budget at 24.7
percent of the total development spending, or Rp 11.6 trillion.

Earlier, Megawati's administration had promised to set the
education budget at around Rp 27 trillion for the coming fiscal
year.

The government had also hinted at preparing "a surprising
present" for the education community, in particular underpaid
teachers, in 2003.

It was not immediately clear whether other spending such as
defense would also fail to live up expectations. The Ministry of
Defense has demanded Rp 10 trillion for the next fiscal year as
it needs more funds to improve the military's professionalism.

Observers said the military deserved a higher budget following
its exit from the House of Representatives and People's
Consultative Assembly.

Unlike in the past, Megawati will deliver the State of the
Nation address and the draft budget at the same time on the eve
of the country's anniversary celebrations.

The speech is part of a series of events held in observance of
the country's 57th anniversary of independence, which falls on
Aug. 17.

On Saturday, Megawati will host flag-hoisting and lowering
ceremonies at Merdeka Palace. Late in the afternoon she will hold
a dinner party at the palace.

On Aug. 18, the President is slated to celebrate the national
day with the public at the National Monument compound, which will
feature popular dangdut music and puppet show performances.