"This budget is directly given to schools and should be enjoyed entirely by educators and students," Indrawati remarked during a press conference on Merdeka Belajar's Episode 16 here on Tuesday.
The minister noted that the Merdeka Belajar, or Freedom in Learning Program, supported by the state budget, should be managed accountably.
Indrawati noted that the Finance Ministry, Education, Culture, Research and Technology Ministry, and Home Affairs Ministry were collaborating to conduct budget reformation and integrate the BOS fund management information system to put forward the principle of accountability to understand its effectiveness.
Indrawati assessed that the sixteenth episode of Merdeka Belajar is crucial, as it encourages improvements in policies, procedures, and fundings as well as greater autonomy for educational units to reform budgets in schools.
"Merdeka Belajar Program is part of the government's efforts in responding to challenges in increasing Indonesian educational quality," she explained.
On the same occasion, the education, culture, research, and technology minister explained that the plans and reports of BOS in 2022 use the single application of school activities plan and budget or ARKAS.
Until now, the school budget management system is still separate from the regional financial management system.
Hence, through the integration of ARKAS with the Regional Development Information System (SIPD), the educational units only need to fill in a single application.
Meanwhile, Acting Director General of Regional Finance Development at Home Affairs Ministry, Agus Fatoni, affirmed that his team will provide legal protection regarding BOS management and the use of ARKAS.
He also urged the local governments to accelerate the proposal and determine education unit accounts in the distribution of BOS, BOP PAUD or fund assistance for early childhood education, and BOP Kesetaraan or non-formal education for equality.
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Translator: Zubi M, Kenzu T
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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