99,000 schools to get fuel funds

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Some 99,000 schools in West and South Sulawesi provinces will soon receive operational funds amounting to Rp 184 billion (US$18.4 million), a senior official said on Friday.

The relatively large amount will be freed up as a result of the government cutting back on the fuel subsidy, said Hanafi, the chief of South Sulawesi Education Office. The extra money has been earmarked to fund elementary, junior and senior high schools in the two provinces, said Hanafi.

On top of the Rp 184 billion, the central government also plans to disburse an additional Rp 6 billion to help poor students continue their education, said Hanafi. -- Antara