Education Budget Should Go to Improving Staff

Central Statistics Agency data shows that 15 year olds and above are spending more years in school on average. The figure has increased from 7.84 years in 2015 to 8.10 years in 2017. However, problems persist in increasing the quality of education, especially in terms of teachers’ quality.

KOMPAS/LUKI AULIA

The atmosphere of the National Education and Culture Conference, which takes place in Sawangan, Depok, West Java, Monday (22/2/2016). Participants in groups discussed various aspirations from the regions, including among others the 12-year compulsory education, management of teachers and education personnel, curriculum and books, as well as national exams and accreditation.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Central Statistics Agency (BPS) data shows that 15 year olds and above are spending more years in school on average. The figure has increased from 7.84 years in 2015 to 8.10 years in 2017. However, problems persist in increasing the quality of education, especially in terms of teachers’ quality.

The average national score for the teachers’ competence exam (UKG) is 53.02, below the predetermined minimum competence standard of 55. Some 27 provinces have average UKG scores below the minimum standards. Only seven provinces have scores above the minimum standards, namely West Java, Bangka Belitung Islands, Bali, East Java, Jakarta, Central Java and Yogyakarta.