186 school buildings need repair

TANGERANG: As many as 186 schools in Tangerang municipality are in poor condition and badly in need of repair, an official said on Thursday.

"We might have the funds in the municipality's 2006 budget to renovate the schools," the head of the Tangerang Education Agency, Harry Mulya Zain, remarked.

He said the administration had allocated more than Rp 200 billion (US$23.5 million), or 42 percent of its 2004 budget, for the renovation of 350 school, to pay the salaries of teachers and school employees, and to provide scholarships.

The administration called on businesspeople in Tangerang to give a hand in the repair of damaged schools.

"If the companies cannot donate money to renovate schools, we hope they can at least earmark some of their profits to help impoverished students," Harry said. -- JP