Minister seeks more funds for national education
Minister seeks more funds for national education
YOGYAKARTA (JP): Minister of National Education Yahya Muhaimin
has proposed the budget for national education program be
increased by 28 percent to Rp 25 trillion for the 2000/2001
fiscal year.
Speaking to journalists after attending a ceremony marking the
50th anniversary of Gadjah Mada University here on Monday, Yahya
said he hoped the House of Representatives would approve his
proposal despite the objections of some government agencies.
"The National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) has
protested my proposal," he revealed.
Yahya contended that the 28 percent hike was a fitting
allocation compared to the whopping 62 percent increase demanded
by the defense ministry for the military and police budget which
comes to Rp 18.9 trillion.
"They (Ministry of Defense) argue that the higher budget
relates to people's security. I could also say that if we want
our children to be smarter the Ministry of National Education
deserves a bigger budget," Yahya contended.
According to Yahya, if his proposal is accepted, his ministry
would prioritize the improvement of education in elementary and
junior high schools.
"We will stress character development in order for children to
become stronger in the face of the coming globalization era."
He also said children must be given appropriate and adequate
basic knowledge.
Speaking about campus autonomy, Yahya said that further
discussions needed to be held on the best formula before a pilot
project started at four universities, including Gadjah Mada.
The three other higher institutions are the Bandung Institute
of Technology (ITB), the Jakarta-based University of Indonesia
and the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB).
He retorted allegations that the campus autonomy program would
be a way for the government to shirk its responsibility of
financing these universities.
"The campus autonomy program is to empower people, to provide
investors with opportunities in education and at the same time
the higher education institution is given the freedom to seek
financing," he said.
Campus autonomy was introduced by then minister of education
Juwono Sudarsono during president B.J. Habibie's tenure.
The government, through the concept, would provide less
financial subsidies to universities.
As a consequence the higher institutions would be given the
freedom to seek funds for their educational projects. The
universities would also be free to structure their own curricula.
Asked if the campus autonomy program would financially burden
the students, Yahya merely replied "I hope not." (44/sur)