Deputy Chairman of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Lalu Hadrian Irfani, reminded the government to improve the distribution and efficiency of education spending throughout all corners of Indonesia.
"This isn't the only ideal solution. The main problem is suboptimal budget absorption at the school and regional levels, not a lack of funds. Therefore, the government and regional governments must improve the distribution and efficiency of education spending throughout the country," said Lalu Hadrian in a statement in Jakarta on Friday.
According to Lalu, even though the education budget continues to increase nominally, Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives views that the biggest challenge currently is not just the amount, but the effectiveness and quality of its utilization.
"There must be an evaluation to ensure that the education budget is not trapped in routine bureaucratic spending, but rather directed toward strengthening education services in the regions, improving the welfare of teachers and education personnel, expanding access in 3T and marginalized areas, and addressing the challenges of the times through educational innovation and digitalization of learning," he said.
If necessary, he said, Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives should urge ministries/institutions using education budgets to clarify budget realization reports and address the causes of low absorption.
He then gave examples, for example, regarding the waste of funds, such as replacing school facilities that are still adequate, the inequality of distribution, especially in underdeveloped, frontier, outermost (3T) and marginal areas, to the use of education budgets for civil service schools that should be funded by the relevant agencies.
