ID :
15950
Fri, 08/15/2008 - 13:51
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/15950
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PRESIDENT YUDHOYONO: EDUCATION SECTOR REMAINS GOVERNMENT TOP PRIORITY
Jakarta, Aug 15 (ANTARA) - The government remains to give priority to the education sector, President Susilo Bambang Yudhohono said in his state of the nation address on the Draft State Budget 2009 and Financial Note before the House of Representatives (DPR) plenary session here on Friday.
The head of state said during the past few years the budget allocated to the National Education Ministry represented the highest figure compared to other ministries.
"The budget for education has risen to almost double from Rp78.5 trillion in 2005 to Rp154.2 trillion in 2008. In fact, for the 2009 budget, in the midst of the global oil and food price crisis that has adversely impacted our economy, we have been able to meet the 20 percent of the State Budget requirement for education as mandated by the constitution," the president said.
He said the increased budget was disbursed, among other things, for the rehabilitation of school buildings and construction of tens of thousands of classroom and new schools.
In line with the spirit of decentralization, Yudhoyono said the government had, since 2005, provided grants in the form of direct operational assistance, better known as School Operational Assistance (BOS).
Yudhoyono expressed hope that with BOS and the participation of the regional governments, the Compulsory Nine-Year Basic Education program could be effectively put in place at a low cost and affordable for the people.
"I am also aware that despite the fact that school fee has been lowered, there are Indonesian families which cannot afford to send their children to school," Yudhoyono said.
He added that the government was trying to overcome the problem by providing Direct Cash Assistance (BLT) to the less fortunate families, with the proviso that their children should continue their studies.
The BLT, which is also known as the Promising Family Program (PKH), has been put in operation in 73 regencies/municipalities.
President Yudhoyono said that program in the future would be expanded because it was instrumental in cutting off the chain of poverty amongst generations.
The head of state said during the past few years the budget allocated to the National Education Ministry represented the highest figure compared to other ministries.
"The budget for education has risen to almost double from Rp78.5 trillion in 2005 to Rp154.2 trillion in 2008. In fact, for the 2009 budget, in the midst of the global oil and food price crisis that has adversely impacted our economy, we have been able to meet the 20 percent of the State Budget requirement for education as mandated by the constitution," the president said.
He said the increased budget was disbursed, among other things, for the rehabilitation of school buildings and construction of tens of thousands of classroom and new schools.
In line with the spirit of decentralization, Yudhoyono said the government had, since 2005, provided grants in the form of direct operational assistance, better known as School Operational Assistance (BOS).
Yudhoyono expressed hope that with BOS and the participation of the regional governments, the Compulsory Nine-Year Basic Education program could be effectively put in place at a low cost and affordable for the people.
"I am also aware that despite the fact that school fee has been lowered, there are Indonesian families which cannot afford to send their children to school," Yudhoyono said.
He added that the government was trying to overcome the problem by providing Direct Cash Assistance (BLT) to the less fortunate families, with the proviso that their children should continue their studies.
The BLT, which is also known as the Promising Family Program (PKH), has been put in operation in 73 regencies/municipalities.
President Yudhoyono said that program in the future would be expanded because it was instrumental in cutting off the chain of poverty amongst generations.
