Education budget increased by Rp 12 trillion

JAKARTA: Members of the Regional Representative Council praised the central government Wednesday for honoring its pledge to allocate 20 percent of the 2010 state budget for education but criticized a plan to set aside some of the money as an endowment fund.

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati announced the increase to the education budget from Rp 209.5 trillion (US$23 billion) to Rp 221.4 trillion. As much as Rp 2.4 trillion will be used as endowment fund, she said.

However, Council member Sulistyo said he was afraid funds for the Rp 12 trillion increase were non-existent and the commitment was only made to make sure the education budget comprised 20 percent of the national budget as the Constitution requires.

"I'm afraid the money cannot be disbursed to finance urgent projects aimed at improving the quality of education," he said.

Sri Mulyani insisted that the increase was real. - JP