"Certainly, a number of children in Indonesia are not able to have basic education," the minister said when asked following President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono`s statement in the latter`s state-of-the-nation address on the occasion of the 66th anniversary of independence before the joint session of Regional Representatives Council (DPD) and House of Representatives (DPR).
Minister M.Nuh said the children who dropped out of schools among others due to their families` economic problem. Thus, the economic problem should be overcome, he said, without giving detail about the number of children who don`t have the basic education.
"We will overcome the dropped-out children through the economic solution among others by giving scholarships. We will provide the scholarship through the revised state budget," M.Nuh said.
Although there is no more school fees for elementary schools, the scholarship is needed to support the poor school students in a bid to continue their studies, he said.
In addition, the government will also seek other measures so that all children can have the access to education, he said.
Meanwhile, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in his state-of-the-nation address confirmed the low-income people will still be able to get education and health services from the government.
"On this occasion, I can ensure that all low-income citizens, have the right to get health care and education from government," the president said.
Along with the improvement of the state`s financial condition, the President said, the government is committed to improve the services quality and the citizens access to education and health.
The president said, for the sake of the increasingly widespread justice, the government gives extra attention to low-income communities.
The head of state also emphasized that there should be no more children in the age of compulsory education who cannot attend the school.
(T.H017/B003/HAJM)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
