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.