President calls for reform of educational methods

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called on national education authorities to reform existing teaching methods and encourage a spirit of entrepreneurship among students.

Speaking during the opening ceremony of a national summit in Jakarta on Thursday, Yudhoyono said students with a spirit of entrepreneurship would be able to support national development in the future.

The President said the main strategy for improvement of the next five-year development program was entrepreneurship, technological innovation and people's empowerment.

He called on the national education minister to reform existing teaching methods and to allow students to play a larger role in the teaching and learning process.

"Creating the spirit of entrepreneurship is not easy, but through various efforts – and one of them is national education reform – it is possible," the President said as quoted by state news agency Antara.

During the summit, private companies and other stakeholders are expected to provide the government with input for the 2010-2014 period.
 
Vice President Boediono is coordinating the summit and on the final day, Saturday, will provide a report on the conclusions reached, before reporting to the President.