Jakarta, Kompas (23/01/07): After school renovation program accomplished in 2008, the government will focus on basic education quality improvement. Provinces having accomplished elementary school renovation this year can start preparing national standard education. 

“We have been struggling since a long time with classical problems of education infrastructure. Now we have to start discussing ways to improve education quality to fulfill the national standard,” said Mudjito, Director of Kindergartens and elementary schools at the National Education Ministry on Monday (22/1) in Jakarta.

Mudjito was speaking after he toured South Sumatra last week-end to assess elementary school building renovation. In Musi Banyuasin regency, Mudjito has witnessed the commitment of local administration to accomplish elementary school buildings rehabilitation by sharing half of the expenses with the central government.

According to Mudjito, the government needs Rp 15.5 trillion in 2007 and 2008 to renovate damaged elementary school buildings and to build new schools. The government allocates Rp 7.75 trillion in 2007. The remaining will be included in the 2008 annual budget.

The central government contributes Rp 5.7 trillion. Rp5.1 trillion of which is channeled through the Special Allocation Fund (DAK) and Rp 600 billion through the deconstruction fund. Regional administrations, both provincial and regency/municipality government are expected to cover the remaining. The central government has signed agreements with regional administration concerning the budget.

As of quality improvement program, Mudjito said education supporting facilities will be adapted to the standards set by the National Education Standards Agency (BSNP), which include, curriculum, facilities and infrastructure, graduates competency, management, financing, assessment, and education staff.

In the national scale, 40% of the renovation program has been accomplished so far. The remaining 60 % are still underway. The government has targeted to accomplished 30% this year and the remaining in 2008.

“80 regencies/municipalities have finished physical rehabilitation, including Tangerang municipality that have been inaugurated by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono," said Mudjito. Musi Banyuasin regency and Balikpapan municipality are expected to complete school renovation this year.

Concerning education access improvement, Mudjito agreed with some house members’ idea to suspend building new schools until renovation programs are completed. (NAR)