REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) affirmed that he will focus on the development and improvement of human resources in 2019. He stated that during the celebration of the 47th anniversary of the Civil Servant Corps here on Thursday.

"Starting 2019, the government will shift its massive development program from infrastructure projects to the development of human resources," Jokowi noted.

Jokowi explained that over the past four years of his government, he had focused on the development of infrastructure in the regions. Infrastructure was developed to open access to isolated regions, boost connectivity, and build new economic centers, he noted.

Moreover, the quality of human resources at the government and private sector levels should be improved significantly. The quality of human resources should be developed right from childhood and during the early years, he stated.

Jokowi remarked that Indonesian human resources must be able to capitalize on the opportunities offered by global changes and rapid technological developments.

"I urged all ranks of the national civil apparatuses to immediately strengthen themselves to become the agents of transformation in strengthening our human resources and in building the talents of the nation's children," the president emphasized.

Jokowi is convinced that transforming the quality of Indonesian human resources can yield positive results for the progress of the nation.

Earlier, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani had stated that the quality of human resources had become the center of the Indonesian government's attention to allocate education and health budget funds.

"In the context of state budget management and in accordance with President Joko Widodo's priorities, the development of human resources is a main priority in allocating the state budget fund," the minister noted during the presentation of the Habibie Award in Jakarta recently (Nov 13).

The Indonesian government has committed to allocating 20 percent of the state budget to the education sector since the reform movement was launched nearly two decades ago, she noted. Budget allocations for the education sector had reached Rp440 trillion in 2018, and the figure is expected to increase to nearly Rp500 trillion next year.

Part of the education budget is allocated for the sovereign wealth fund to finance college students' scholarships through the Educational Fund Management Institute, among others. Mulyani noted that more than 18 thousand college students had received scholarships. Of the total, some seven thousand students had completed their study, while the rest are still studying.

"The fund includes Rp55 trillion for community groups that deserve higher attention next year," she remarked.

President Jokowi has ordered the allocation of budget fund to strengthen educational institutions, researchers, and other segments, including Islamic boarding schools under the purview of the Religious Affairs Ministry.

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