BOS, BOP PAUD Funds Can Be Used for Health Purposes During Pandemic, Minister Says

Education and Culture Minister explains the use of BOS and BOP PAUD and Equality Education during a webinar on Monday (15/6). (Photo by: May/PR)

Funds for School Operational Assistance (BOS) and Operational Assistance for early childhood education center (BOP PAUD) and Equality Education during COVID-19 emergency period can be used to support readiness of education units amid the pandemic, Minister of Education and Culture Nadiem Makarim has said.

Under Regulation of Minister of Education and Culture Number 19 of 2020 on Amendment to Technical Guidelines for BOS and Number 20 of 2020 on Amendment to Technical Guidelines for the BOP PAUD and Equality Education during the COVID-19 emergency period, the funds may be used to purchase mobile phone credit, data packages, and/or paid online education services for educators and/or students during learning from home period.

The funds, the Minister continued, may also be used to purchase hand sanitizers, disinfectants, face masks or other supporting hygiene and health tools including thermo guns.

The BOS funds may also be used to pay non-tenured teachers registered in the basic education data (Dapodik) as of 31 December 2019 and for those who have not received professional allowances and have provided teaching sessions including teaching from home, he added.

“Regarding the percentage of its use, provision of payment has been relaxed to an unlimited extent,” he said, adding that the scheme also applies to the BOP PAUD and Equality Education funds, the latter of which may also be used for transportation costs for educators.

“The use of Islamic school BOS Madrasa and kindergarten BOP Raudhatul Athfal funds is adjusted to the technical guidelines set by Ministry of Religious Affairs,” the Minister said. (Ministry of Education and Culture’s Cooperation and PR Bureau/EN)

Translator: Muhardi
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas