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For the current 2009 budgeting year, the provincial government of Bali is getting more than 10 billion from the central government for alphabet-blind elimination program. The program will prioritize the age group of 45 years old and more. Head of the Office for Education, Youth, and Sport (Disdikpora) of Bali, Drs. I Ketut Wija, M.M. exposed program financing plan yesterday (Thursday, March 19th).

Wija further informed that based on data collected by the Central Statistic Bureau (BPS), Bali is having 8% of alphabet-blind population, which is significantly more than the national average of 5%. Further assessment of BPS also advised that alphabet-blind population is concentrated in the age group of 45 years old and up. Therfore the porgram is more focused to this particular group. However it will also not to set aside those within 10-44 years old group.

Before the program get started, Disdikpora Bali will conduct a more thorough assessment in getting a more accurate figure on alphabet-blind population. For the assesment purpose, Wija said that his office will have a coordination with all regency and city governments in Bali as well as BPS Bali.

Wija also informed that for 2009 budgeting year, the provincial government of Bali has also allocated 1.7 billion out if its budget to finance further step of a program called Keaksaraan Nasional. The program was intended to eliminate alphabet-blindness in productive-aged group. Those who have received the first grade certificate and got the ability to read, write, and count will receive further program.

On the other hand, the head of Disdikpora of Badung regency, Cok Raka Darmawan admit that the main difficulty in alphabet-blind elimination program in his administration is people’s motivation to join the program. In a recent interview Cok Raka Dharmawan informed that alphabet-blind elimination programin Badung regency has graduated 1,250 participants. However he believed that there will be a signnificant part of them will return back into alphabet-blindness due to lack of practice.