Government told to heed MK`s ruling on educational budget

Jakarta, NU Online
The House of Representatives (DPR) hoped that the government heed the Constitutional Court`s decision demanding the government to allocate budget amounting to at least 20 percent from the State Budget and Regional Budgets (for the education sector), the House speaker said.

House Speaker Agung Laksono made the remarks here Friday at the opening of the first session of the 2008/2009 period at the parliament building, which was attended by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Yusuf Kalla among other dignitaries.<>

Agung said two days ago the Constitutional Court (MK) had fulfilled the Indonesian Teachers Association (PGRI)`s demand for judicial review of Law No.16/2008 on amendment of Law No.45/2007 on the 2008 state budget.

Although the Constitutional Court fulfilled the demand, it (the court) said that Law on the amended State Budget 2008 remained effective until the promulgation of Law on 2009 State Budget.

"This is intended to avoid possible chaos in carrying out the state financial administration," Agung said.

If in Law on 2009 State Budget the educational budget do not reach 20 percent of the State Budget and Regional Budgets, the Constitutional Court could show the decision to prove that Law on the State Budget was unconstitutional.

The Constitutional Court also called on all the regions in the country to give priority to providing 20 percent of the regional budgets for the education sector.

The House of Representatives also gave positive response to the Constitutional Court`s decision, and thus both the government and the House`s budgetary committee as well as the relevant commissions could accommodate the decision in the discussion of the draft state budget 2009.

The increase in the budget for the education sector to at least 20 percent was significant in an effort to educate the people and improve the quality of human resources in accordance with the constitution`s mandate.

The House also hoped the budget for the education sector could be managed effectively, efficiently, transparently and accountably. (ant/dar)