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)