Rp 260b set for national exams

Rp 260b set for national exams

SURABAYA: Ministry of National Education has allocated Rp 260
billion (US$30.59 million) to subsidize students who will sit in
the national final exams in May.

Education minister Abdul Malik Fajar said here on Tuesday that
a subsidy from the central government would be given to schools
based on the number of students. Each elementary school student
would receive Rp 10,000, while junior and senior high school
students would get Rp 13,500 each.

Local administrations should provide the rest of the funds
needed. Because of the subsidy, schools are not allowed to ask
for exam fees from students.

Since last year, the government has imposed a policy requiring
students to pass a certain grade in their national exams if they
want to continue their education. The national exams comprise
English, Mathematics and Bahasa Indonesia, with the passing grade
for this year set at 4, an increase of last year's 3. -- Antara