WB chief awards local education team<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The education team of Indonesia's social safety
\nnet program has been given a special honor by the World Bank for
\nits work in keeping four million students in school.<\/p>\n
World Bank president James Wolfensohn presented the award on
\nSaturday to the 20-member team at a ceremony held at the Ministry
\nof Education.<\/p>\n
\"It is clear to us that the project you are engaged in here
\nhas affected the lives of many of your children,\" Wolfensohn said
\nin his speech.<\/p>\n
The World Bank presents an annual award for successful teams
\naround the world which have favorably implemented various safety
\nnet programs.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian education team's award was among the six
\npresented throughout the world.<\/p>\n
According to the World Bank, the education sector of the
\nsocial safety net program has helped secure education for four
\nmillion Indonesian school children in 132,000 locations across
\nthe country in the 1998\/1999 fiscal year.<\/p>\n
An independent monitoring agency also reported almost 90
\npercent of the recipients originated from poor families.<\/p>\n
\"For this extraordinary effort, we are very happy to
\nparticipate by donating US$500 million in the form of a loan,\"
\nWolfensohn said.<\/p>\n
He lauded the recognition shown toward the education sector,
\nsaying that it was important to invest in the country's future.<\/p>\n
Wolfensohn was on a four-day visit to Indonesia.<\/p>\n
While government officials have welcomed his arrival here,
\nseveral non-governmental organizations have held loud protests,
\nclaiming that the World Bank is merely propelling Indonesia into
\nmore debt.<\/p>\n
During a visit to Bandung, West Java, on Friday, Wolfensohn
\nwas again met with a noisy demonstration.<\/p>\n
But the World Bank president brushed off the protest.<\/p>\n
\"You should never worry about protests. We have a good feeling
\nabout our partnership and we are looking forward to continuing
\nthe work.\"<\/p>\n
Minister of Education Yahya Muhaimin said the key to the
\nteam's success was the assistance and participation of the local
\ncommunity.<\/p>\n
\"The project also applied a flexible system which could
\nrespond to the needs of every location,\" he added.<\/p>\n
The World Bank has again allocated some $500 million for the
\neducation sector in the social safety net program for this year.<\/p>\n
Yahya expressed hope that the award, which is proof that the
\nWorld Bank's assistance is being efficiently put to good use,
\nwould continue to extend further assistance in the future.<\/p>\n
\"I am planning to set up a library in each subdistrict and
\neach state school in the country. I hope the World Bank will help
\nthe program,\" he added.(04)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/wb-chief-awards-local-education-team-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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