Susilo to sign ruling on education

JAKARTA: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) is expected to sign this week a government regulation on national education standard, which will become a legal umbrella for the government in issuing policies on education, Minister of National Education Bambang Sudibyo said.

He said on Wednesday that a national standard in implementing education activities in the country was crucial especially as the government is trying to gradually increase the state budget allocation on the education sector starting next year.

"The regulation is now in the hands of the State Secretary. He (the president) is expected to sign it this week as it has been long awaited," Bambang announced publicly at the State Palace.

He said that the regulation would also regulate the plan to implement the controversial national final exam policy.

But he added that education curriculum would not change with the issuance of the regulation. -- JP