Heaptalk, Jakarta – Responding to Indonesia Gelap (means: Indonesia Dark)- students demonstration over state budget efficiency- Vice Minister of Education, Science, and Technology Stella Christie ensures that the policy will not affect the budget allocation for education.
“State budget efficiency should not have an impact on tuition fees. First, people should know that budget efficiency is only applied to any ceremonial activity, such as office stationery, official travel, meetings outside the ministry’s offices, and other ceremonial events,” said Vice Minister Stella.
Through state budget efficiency, the fund will be allocated to other activities or agendas which bring more benefits to society.
Stella Christie also confirmed that universities cannot raise tuition fees freely as they must obey Ministry Regulation No. 2 Year 2024, which regulates the standard of student tuition. State budget efficiency also does not affect scholarship programs, such as Beasiswa Adik, IP Kuliah, and more.
“Budget for scholarship program is not cut off, such as Beasiswa Adik and other scholarship programs. From President Instruction No.1 Year 2025, it is clear that the efficiency will not impact social aid. And scholarship program is categorized as a social aid,” voiced Christie.
Meanwhile, for research and development (R&D), the alumnus of Harvard University stated that this program may feel the impact as several of its agenda, which are related to ceremonial activities, will be reduced significantly.
“BI has released 16 categories as our (ministries) guidance to carry out budget efficiency. But, based on the President’s instruction, Prabowo, clearly stated that investment in human resources, education, science, and technology is critical,”
