Results of Compulsory School Program Announced
Tuesday, 18 March, 2008 | 16:10 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The National Education Minister, Religious Affairs Minister, and representatives from the regional government announced the results of the nine-year compulsory schooling, this morning, Tuesday (18/3) at the national education department. “This is the last year for the nine-year compulsory schooling program,” said Suyanto, Director General for Basic and Secondary Education, in Jakarta yesterday.

Up to 2007, Suyanto said the number of students participating in elementary school (including public school (SD) and Islamic schools (MI)) has reached 94.9 percent of the 95 percent target. The number for secondary school (including public (SMP) and Islamic (MTs) schools) has reached 92.52 percent.

The Religious Affairs Department stated that madrasahs (Islamic schools) could be a factor of 21 percent of their students attending nine-year compulsory schooling. This percentage includes the target of 95 percent of the national number of participants for 2008 for secondary schools.

Muhammad Ali, Director General for Islamic Education, Religious Affairs Department, stated that madrasah education quality is still trying to come up to the same standard as general education. 8.5 percent of the educational environment of state madrasahs have been standardized, but the management of the private sector, like teachers recruitment, may have different educational backgrounds.

Reh Atemalem Susanti