Thursday, August 02, 2007

On the privatization of education

The Indonesian Government has been drafting a new law on a new legal format for state-owned universities (RUU BHP - Rencana Undang-Undang Badan Hukum Pendidikan). The new law will significantly decrease state funding for these universities, potentially driving fees upwards to be more private-like.

A group of people recently held an event to protest the draft.

I couldn't agree with them more. Education should be the last thing to be handed over completely to the private sector. Don't see it simply as public service; education should be a country/nation's most important investment. Even in the most capitalist nations education is subsidized. Even Robert Kiyosaki, the uber-capitalist "rich dad", demands that the government provide financial education/literacy to America's school children.

We've got priorities all mixed up.

3 comments:

  1. I completely agree with you, and here is why.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Salam perkenalan.

    Im Ahmad from Malaysia.

    ager to searc abot you after reading "Media Rakyat".

    I also knew bro Awanalbana from radio komunitas.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Ahmad,
    Salam kenal juga!
    Do you mean you read "media rakyat" the book, the one published by combine & ford foundation?

    Anyway, happy to meet another community radio supporter!

    ReplyDelete