Jakarta (Kompas: (09/09/07) Lawmakers slashed down the budget proposed by the Ministry of education for elementary school national examination. In a meeting discussing the 2008 budget plafond on Monday, the House Commission X slashed down the budget proposed by the National Education Ministry from Rp 500 billion to Rp 96 billion.

House Commission X Deputy Chairman Heri Akhmadi said lawmakers cut down the budget because they disapproved with the national examination for elementary school. Lawmakers are in the opinion that the government should better use the funds for education improvement programs. "This is aimed at giving a picture as well, if the government manages to conduct efficiency, the budget could be spent more effectively," he said. The outcome of the budget efficiency could be used to build 7,000 libraries in elementary schools and to build 3,000 national-standard elementary school buildings. “We also keep an eye to make sure that the final exam for elementary school which is called ‘National-standard final examination” would not determine students’ graduation,” Heri Akhmadi said.

National Education Minister Bambang Sudibyo admitted that the budget for elementary school national examination set at Rp 96 billion is too small compared to the Rp 500 billion proposed earlier. However, he finds it quite reasonable because national examination in elementary school is not the same with those in junior and senior high schools that need external observers. “That’s the amount provided by the central government. The regional administrations could disburse more fund if it is deemed necessary," he said. The national examination for elementary school will be integrated to school exam. However, for the three subjects tested nationwide (Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Indonesian language), schools have to make the test based on guidelines issued by the National Education Standards Agency. “Students’ graduation will be determined by their respective schools," Bambang said.
 
Accepted with remarks

Meanwhile, House commission X members are unsatisfied with the budget because the government failed to comply with the mandate of the Constitution to allocate 20% of the State Budget for education spending. During the hearing, only lawmakers from the Democratic Party and the Reform Star Party (PBR) who accepted the bill unanimously. Lawmakers from PDI-P, Golkar, Peace and Welfare Party (PDS), United Development Party (PPP), National Awakening Party (PKB), National Mandate Party (PAN), and People’s Sovereignty Party (PDR) endorsed the budget with remarks. Only lawmakers form the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) have staunchly rejected the budget.

"We cannot accept the budget, but we could not reject it either because the education allocation is less than 20% as mandated by the Constitution," said Aan Rohana from PKS. Meanwhile, Ruth Nina Kedang from PDS said, her party accepted the budget with remarks. “We emphasize that the Constitution stipulates that 20% of the State budget should be allocated for education, but this could not be realized," she said.