Ministry of Education strengthens coordination to oversee priority programmes

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikdasmen) is strengthening coordination between the central government and regional authorities to ensure that priority programmes are implemented effectively.

“We hope that this Regional Consolidation will serve as a platform to strengthen and coordinate efforts so that the authorities of the central government and regional authorities do not overlap, but rather complement each other to ensure that priority programmes are truly felt by the community,” said Deputy Minister of Education and Culture (Wamendikdasmen) Atip Latipulhayat in a written statement in Jakarta on Thursday.

He made the statement as an affirmation at the opening of the Regional Consolidation (Konsolda) for the Implementation of Priority Programmes at the Quality Assurance Agency for Education (BPMP) of South Sumatra Province.

In addition to synchronising authorities, Atip emphasised that all stakeholders must closely monitor the implementation of priority programmes.

This, he said, is crucial to ensure that budgets are used effectively and provide tangible benefits in creating a safe and comfortable school environment for students, in order to realise the vision of the Golden Generation 2045.

He emphasised that the authorities of the central government and regional authorities must converge.

“The authorities and responsibilities must converge, not diverge. They must be on the same wavelength. There must not be any overlap in authorities, which would lead to a lack of accountability,” said Atip.

He also reminded that the quality of physical development must be a priority.

“Please, let us ensure that when the reports are completed, the buildings are not leaning or crooked. Let us not have schools that are in dire need of repair only receiving the construction of toilets,” he said.

“It is not appropriate for schools to look like that. Therefore, revitalisation is very important so that our children can learn in a decent place,” he said.

In closing his remarks, Atip urged teachers to apply the “Deep Learning” methods they learned in training to the classroom in order to create meaningful student engagement.

“Teachers must have a strong command of the content so that they can engage students in meaningful learning. Teachers must be like singers who can make even the most difficult material interesting for students,” he said.

At the same event, Director of Senior High Schools at Kemendikdasmen, Winner Jihad Akbar, explained that the forum is a space for aligning national policies at the local level.

He added that the synergy includes monitoring strategic programmes such as revitalisation, digitalisation, and the Free Nutritious Meal programme.

The Head of the South Sumatra Province Education Office, Mondyaboni, welcomed the Ministry of Education and Culture’s initiative to come directly to absorb regional aspirations.

According to him, this coordination is a momentum to unite visions in addressing educational challenges in the region.

“We are grateful that we can discuss here what the problems are in the region, and then how to synchronise them so that they become a formula that is a solution for all of us,” said Mondyaboni.

He also underlined the importance of continuing central government assistance for schools in South Sumatra.

“Our regional budget is currently being adjusted, so we are very grateful for the assistance from the ministry for school revitalisation and we hope that it can be continued,” he added.