Non-formal course fund set at Rp 9t

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Tue, 05/08/2007 7:00 AM

JAKARTA: The House of Representatives has allocated Rp 9 trillion this year for non-formal education, the Deputy head of Commission X overseeing education at The House of Representatives, Hakam Nadja, said Monday.

""Fifteen percent of the fund has been disbursed and we will evaluate the program in the near future,"" Nadja told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

The fund is being utilized to establish a number of community learning centers and mobile education centers.

Community learning centers are aimed at offering children and teenagers formal school lessons and vocational training. Subjects taught include music and repairing household appliances.

Mobile education centers are being utilized outside Java and are aimed at providing education for people who live far from urban areas.

""We are still discussing areas to be targeted for learning centers with community groups. Eventually we will start distributing funds to develop the program further,"" Hakam said.

Director of Community Education at the National Education Ministry, Sujarwo, said the ministry has received Rp 2.8 trillion so far for non-formal educational purposes.

Sujarwo said the government plans to further develop both programs next year. (10)

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