Students brave the elements at run-down state schools<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Studying is more than just a mental chore for
\n113,600 elementary school students.<\/p>\n
They also have to deal with leaking roofs, cracked walls and
\ndoors hanging off their hinges at their 284 aging state schools,
\na city education and teaching agency official said on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Abdul Somad described 60 of the buildings as on the verge of
\ncollapse.<\/p>\n
Several of the buildings date back to 1965 and their roofs are
\nstructurally unsound.<\/p>\n
\"In the case of the other 224 buildings, the roofs, walls and
\ndoors are in dire need of immediate repair,\" Abdul, head of the
\nschool building maintenance division, told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
The coming of the rainy season worsens the problems. Frazzled
\nstudents have to prepare for rain seeping through the roofs and
\ncracks spreading across the walls.<\/p>\n
Fearing the worst, principals of several of the 60 most run-
\ndown schools have decided to \"temporarily\" move their students to
\nnearby institutions, he added.<\/p>\n
\"The problem is that most of the buildings are already at
\nleast 20 years old.\"<\/p>\n
The capital is home to 1,718 state elementary schools.<\/p>\n
Renovations would cost the city dearly, to the tune of between
\nRp 1.5 billion and Rp 4 billion, depending on the severity of
\nproblems, Abdul said.<\/p>\n
As an alternative funding source, the agency is urging wealthy
\nJakartans to help finance the repairs to allow students to study
\nin comfort, he added.<\/p>\n
The agency submitted on Monday a proposal to the city
\nadministration for extra renovation funds to refurbish tens of
\nschool buildings categorized in severe disrepair.<\/p>\n
\"We are sincerely aware that in such a time of hardship, the
\nadministration may not have adequate funds.<\/p>\n
\"Therefore, it is our wish that at the very least the
\ncapital's residents will be willing to help us deal with this
\nunfavorable situation.\"<\/p>\n
Among the schools is Lubang Buaya SD 03\/15 in East Jakarta. As
\nthe building's condition worsened from day to day, worried school
\nauthorities finally asked the 400 students to move to nearby
\nLubang Buaya SD 12\/20.<\/p>\n
It was a concern shared by parents.<\/p>\n
\"I used to worry about the safety of my daughter at the
\nschool. Imagine if the roof fell on her,\" said a housewife.<\/p>\n
City councilor Sylviana Murni acknowledged renovations of the
\nschools must be undertaken soon, but said creating a conducive
\nstudy environment should be a collective responsibility.<\/p>\n
\"Education is the responsibility not only of the
\nadministration, but also of parents and teachers alike,\" Sylviana
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"Taking into consideration the condition of our economy today,
\nmembers of parent teacher associations in every school should
\npitch in. However, I emphasize this should be done voluntarily.\"
\n(ylt)<\/p>",
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