Improve education, orders President

Improve education, orders President

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto warned yesterday Indonesia's
all-out effort to catch up with industrialized countries will
flop unless the country develops quality education.

The President said that although Indonesia has made remarkable
progress in education over the past three decades, the sector is
yet to pass the stumbling blocks.

"The world will regard us Indonesians only if we have
professional skills and master science and technology," he said
when opening the annual workshop of the Ministry of Education and
Culture.

Soeharto warned that in this era of increasing liberal
economy, Indonesia's readiness to enter the global competition
will be dictated by its ability to bolster productivity.

"We will have to take the challenge by sustaining the
development of education and culture," the President said.

On hand were Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Azwar
Anas, Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro,
Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. and Minister of Women's
Roles Mien Sugandi.

In the past, Indonesian education focused on equal education
opportunities. However, now that most Indonesians are literate
the time has come for Indonesia to emphasize quality, Soeharto
said.

The Soeharto administration's achievement in developing
education has won international recognition.

The workshop began on Sunday and will close today in the rainy
town of Bogor, 60 kilometers south of here. The 386 officials
taking part in the meeting discussed the education and culture
ministry's 1996/1997 working programs. (pan)