Grant for Jakarta teachers susceptible to fraud: Unions

Jakarta's 2018 draft budget has once again garnered criticism, with education experts claiming that a Rp 430.7 billion (US$31.8 million) grant set aside for teachers' associations would be susceptible to fraud.

According to the Indonesian Teacher Unions Federation (FSGI) and Jakarta Teacher Union (SEGI), the funds should be given directly to teachers.

"[Distributing the grant through organizations] will trigger discrimination and jealousy," Heru Purnomo, FSGI's general secretary, said in a press conference on Sunday. 

Jakarta administration has set aside funds for three teacher organizations in its 2018 draft budget. The Association of Indonesian Educators and Teaching Practitioners for Early Childhood Education (Himpaudi) is set to receive Rp 40.2 billion, the Indonesian Teachers Association (PGRI) is slated to get Rp 367 billion, while Rp 23.5 billion will go to the Indonesian Association of Kindergarten Teachers (IGTKI). 

The administration said that the funds were a show of its appreciation for teachers.

Furthermore, if the funds were channeled through specific organizations, only teachers who were a part of those organizations would receive their share, Heru said.

"It will not reach all teachers in the capital who did not join those organizations. If the administration wants to improve the quality of teachers, it should provide workshops instead of giving cash," he added. 

Education Agency deputy head Bowo Irianto assured that all Jakarta teachers would receive a monthly share of the grant, adding that the three organizations were selected to help the administration distribute the funds accordingly.

Moreover, these three groups were the ones that had made a formal request for a grant for Jakarta's teachers, he said.

Source: Grant for Jakarta teachers susceptible to fraud: Unions

Jakarta among top 10 cities on Instagram

If Instagram posts are any measure, Jakarta may be among the most popular and appreciated cities on Earth.

Every year, Instagram analyzes geotag data to determine netizens' favorite destinations for Instagram. This summer, the social media platform revealed that Jakarta was among the most geo-tagged destination in the world on Instagram's Stories feature.

From data published by Conde Nast Traveler last week, Jakarta takes the eighth spot for most geo-tagged destination across the platform, above Istanbul, Turkey and Barcelona, Spain.

The first position on the list is occupied by New York, which incidentally is home to three of the world's most-Instagrammed tourist attractions, namely the Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square and Central Park.

Other cities that made the top-10 list include Moscow and Paris.

Read also: Jakarta named the most popular location tag on Instagram Stories

Here is the complete list of top-10 most-Instagrammed cities in the world:

1. New York City, United States

2. Moscow

3. London

4. São Paulo, Brazil

5. Paris

6. Los Angeles, the US

7. St. Petersburg, Russia

8. Jakarta

9. Istanbul, Turkey

10. Barcelona, Spain

Source: Jakarta among top 10 cities on Instagram

Jakarta hosts World Memory Championship 2017

The World Memory Championship 2017 is currently being held at Mercure Ancol Hotel, Jakarta. 

The two-day event runs from Dec. 2 to 3 and a total of 21 countries, including Indonesia, are taking part in this competition.

The event is initiated by the Memory Sports Council, an international organization that aims to produce intelligent Indonesian kids that are great in science and have good memorizing skills. The Memory Sports Council in Germany has given its full trust for Indonesia to become the host of the event.

This is the first time Indonesia has been appointed as the host of World Memory Championship.

There are 10 championships being competed at this event and the participants are divided into four categories: Kids, junior, adult and senior.

Meanwhile, the head coach of Indonesian Team Yudi Lesmana said that he hopes his team will be competitive.

"We've conducted Memory Championship Tour trials to four countries, starting from Korea, and two trials at Indonesia Friendly Championship," told Yudi.

These participants are aiming to win two trophies, a total prize of Rp 100 million and 200 medals. (kes)

Source: Jakarta hosts World Memory Championship 2017

Jokowi opens new 2018 Asian Games venues in Jakarta

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo officially opened the four newly renovated venues at the Gelora Bung Karno sporting complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Saturday. The venues will be used for the 2018 Asian Games next year.

The venues comprise a field hockey arena, an ABC soccer field, archery grounds and an aquatics complex. The renovation cost Rp 370 billion (US$27,343,000).

"I hereby open the new field hockey arena, ABC soccer field, archery ground and aquatics complex. Thank you." Jokowi said during the event.

Jokowi singled out the aquatics complex that has been certified by world body FINA as "the best venue."

Indonesian Asian Games Organizing Committee (Inasgoc) chief Erick Thohir said the opening event by the president had boosted the organizers' spirit to work harder.

"We're currently holding a test event on 3x3 basketball and next week we will also have an aquatics test event.

"With today's event, we have to work harder for the upcoming Games," said Erick in a statement.

The 2018 Games, dubbed as the biggest multisporting event in Asia, will be held from Aug. 18 to Sept. 2. (nkn)

Source: Jokowi opens new 2018 Asian Games venues in Jakarta

Jakarta, Bali and Yogyakarta, most-searched Indonesian cities on Google

Data from Google search engine shows the three most-searched destinations in Indonesia.

"The three most-searched domestic destinations are Jakarta, Bali and Yogyakarta," said Google Indonesia search marketing manager Mira Sumanti.

Other destinations such as Pangandaran, Bukittinggi and Berastagi are also trending on Google.

According to Mira, people travel one to two times in a year and there are two peak seasons in a year which are Idul Fitri and new year holidays. Currently, the search for flights and hotel bookings have been on the rise since the early November and will increase until the end of the year.

Within the last 12 months, the average growth for the search for holiday or trip-related information is at five percent.

"The growth is becoming more significant nearing the peak season," added Mira.

Google accommodates this surge by developing the Knowledge Panel feature.

"Let's say someone wants to look for hotel accommodation, they open Google and information about price, location and reviews will show up," said Mira. (asw)

Source: Jakarta, Bali and Yogyakarta, most-searched Indonesian cities on Google