U.S. to provide money for education<\/p>\n
JAKARTA: U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Ralph L. Boyce
\nreiterated on Thursday his government planned to provide US$157
\nmillion to strengthen the quality and capability of public and
\nreligious (pesantren) schools here.<\/p>\n
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Coordinating
\nMinister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla, Boyce denied
\nsuggestions that the assistance, which would be disbursed over
\nthe next six years, was meant to interfere with the curriculum of
\npesantren.<\/p>\n
\"I don't know where that idea comes from. The education system
\nin pesantren is one of the greatest education systems in the
\ncountry,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Kalla said he would discuss the details of the distribution of
\nthe aid with the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Ministry
\nof National Education.<\/p>\n
However, he said the U.S. could also directly provide
\nassistance to schools and pesantren run by the Nahdlatul Ulama
\nand Muhammadiyah Muslim organizations.<\/p>\n
The $157 million assistance was first announced by U.S.
\nPresident George W. Bush during his meeting with President
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri in Bali last month. --JP<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/us-to-provide-money-for-education-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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