Minister Of Education And Culture Nadiem Promises To Stop The Increase In Unnatural UKT

Screenshot of the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Mendikbudristek) Nadiem Anwar Makarim in a Working Meeting with Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives in Jakarta, Tuesday (21/5/2024). (ANTARA/Astrid Faidlatul Habibah)

JAKARTA - Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Mendikbudristek) Nadiem Makarim, promised to stop the increase in singles lecture money (UKT) which was unreasonable at state universities (PTN). This was conveyed by Nadiem after receiving many reports related to the jump in the UKT increase which was considered unreasonable. "I am committed to ensuring, because of course there must be a recommendation from us to ensure that we will stop these irrational jumps," said Nadiem in a working meeting with Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Tuesday, May 21. Nadiem ensured that the Ministry of Education and Culture would examine the PTN that raised the inappropriate UKT for evaluation of the head of the related study program. "So we will ensure that we will check the unreasonable increases, we evaluate, we are assessed and I would like to ask all chairmen of universities and study programs to ensure that, even if there is an increase, it must be rational, it must be reasonable and not hunting. Not in a hurry to make a big leap. That is the first commitment," said Nadiem. Nadiem reminded that every increase in UKT must be rational, including in higher UKT groups. He stated that this was done by the Ministry of Education and Culture to reduce anxiety in the community regarding the issue of a high UKT increase. "The Ministry of Education and Culture has a very strong role, to ensure that there is an increase in prices, even for higher economic levels or stairs, that the increase is rational and reasonable," he explained. In addition, Nadiem also asked PTN to entrust the Ministry of Education and Culture regarding UKT regulations. So far, he said, the rules regarding UKT were made in stages. "What does that mean? It means that for students who have more capable families, they pay more, and those who can't afford it, pay less," said Nadiem.

He said such regulations had been going on for a long time. Because the Ministry of Education and Culture is said to prioritize the principle of justice and inclusiveness as the basic principle of UKT. "This is indeed a punishment that has been carried out for UKT in our universities, because the principle of justice for all Indonesian people must be upheld, must be defended," he concluded.