Govt to allocate Rp 224 t for education

Jakarta, NU Online
The country's education sector is set to receive a lump sum of Rp 224 trillion (US$24.64 billion) or 20 percent of the total state budget for 2009, the government said Friday (15/8).

"What's is left now is organizing the exact fund allocation since the education sector doesn't just cover the Education Ministry, but also the regions as well," State Minister for National Development Planning Paskah Suzetta told the press at the House of Representatives on Friday.<>

He added that there is a possibility of increasing the total sum allocated to education as the crude oil price forecast decreases from $120 to $100 per barrel.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono pledged an average salary increase of 15 percent for civil servants and retirees next year, making Rp 2 million the lowest monthly salary for teachers.

The move is in line with the government's recent effort to improve public services, which will take the form, among other things, of a 16.4 percent budget increase allotted for state employee salaries.

"Government officials and retirees' income will increase through a 15 percent raise in basic salary and retirement fund," Yudhoyono said.

The President said the government would also begin implementing a 13th month salary and retirement scheme, alongside retirement payment reform.

"The Rp 46.1 trillion fund allotted for education will be used for teachers and researchers' pay check, meaning the minimum salary for a teacher will be Rp 2 million per month." (jp/dar)