7,000 schools need a 'facelift'

SEMARANG, Central Java: About one-third of all primary school buildings in Central Java are said to be damaged and in need of repairs.

The head of the Ministry of Education and Culture's provincial office, Soekendro, told The Jakarta Post yesterday that 7,000 of the 21,157 primary school buildings were in need of some sort of repairs.

"Of those that need repair, about 10 percent had sustained heavy damage and 23 percent moderate damage. The rest only need slight renovation."

He estimated that about Rp 200 billion (US$20 million) is needed to conduct the repairs.

Soekendro said Rp 45 billion has been allocated from the 1998/1999 budget for school building repairs. (har)