JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Lalu Hadrian Irfani, asked the government not to reduce education funds in the midst of budget efficiency plans. He emphasized that his party would respond to the plan critically but constructively.
According to Lalu, the government's efforts to maintain the state budget deficit in the midst of global pressure are indeed important, but this step must not sacrifice the education sector which is a national priority as mandated in the 1945 Constitution.
"Cutting the education budget is basically not an ideal step, unless it is done very selectively and does not touch the core programs," said Lalu Hadrian Rifani, Thursday, March 26.
Then emphasized that education is not merely a state spending post, but a strategic investment to improve the quality of human resources and the competitiveness of the nation. Therefore, according to him, if budget efficiency must be carried out, then what should be cut is non-priority spending.
"Such as ceremonial activities, official travel, and overlapping programs," he said.
Furthermore, the PKB legislator from the NTB District reminded that widespread cuts in education budgets could have serious impacts. In the short term, said Lalu, budget cuts can put pressure on school operational assistance, scholarships, and teacher welfare.
In the long term, he added, the policy risks lowering the quality of learning, widening the gap in access to education, and weakening Indonesia's competitiveness at the global level.
"The greater risk is the disruption of the achievement of human resource development targets in the future," he said.
For this reason, Lalu ensures that Commission X of the DPR will encourage the government to carry out efficiency carefully, based on data, and to consider the social impact thoroughly. In addition, he hopes that the government can also find other efficiency alternatives, such as increasing the effectiveness of spending, reducing bureaucratic waste, and optimizing state revenues.
"In principle, we do not reject efficiency. However, this policy must be carried out intelligently, measured, and not sacrifice the future of the nation's generation, especially in the field of education," he concluded.
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