USES OF COMPUTER MODELING IN PLANNING FOR REDUCTION OF REGIONAL INEQUALITIES IN EDUCATION (INDONESIA)

The time has come for planners and policymakers to use computer simulation models more effectively as a tool in the decision-making processes of educational planning. The problem for both short- and long-range planning is how to simulate the possible outcomes of various alternatives intended to resolve problems by a specific target date.; This study focuses on the use of computer modeling for the reduction of educational disparities existing in the Indonesian education system.; Available educational data were used as input to models designed for both mainframe and microcomputers. Various alternative scenarios were created for consideration by planners. Microcomputer-based models designed specifically for the study included the "Enrollment Projection Model", "Resource Requirements Model" and "Teacher Demand/Supply Model". A School Location Planning (SLP) software package available on the mainframe computer was used extensively to calculate various equity indices and to create alternative scenarios for the reallocation of additional resources for the reduction of educational inequalities between geographical regions and between urban and rural districts of Indonesia.; Interviews were conducted with educational planners at the World Bank and the Indonesian Ministry of Education to assess their responsiveness and reactions to the use of computer modeling as a planning tool. Their opinions were sought on the advantages and disadvantages of each model used and alternative scenarios for reducing inequalities.; Analysis of interview responses indicated that planners found computer simulation particularly useful when the problem being addressed called for "what-if" analysis requiring numerous reiterations to test the effect of changes in key variables on the education system. At the same time, they felt that computer modeling should not become a substitute for thinking by people who do not comprehend the basic principles of calculating the equity indices used to interpret degrees of inequality.; The study concluded that adoption and acceptance of computer modeling in educational planning is evolving at a remarkable pace in a setting like the World Bank but that planners in a developing country like Indonesia are still uncertain as to the cost-effectiveness of incorporating computer use in their work, although they do recognize the potential of such a technology.