ADB approves RI loans

ADB approves RI loans

Manila (DPA): The Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced
approval yesterday of US$175 million in loans to enable more
girls and low-income children in Indonesia's remote areas to
extend their education.

"Indonesia is approaching near-universal enrollment in primary
education," the ADB said, but the country needs to increase
availability of junior secondary schooling.

Nearly 500,000 youngsters in the eastern provinces of South
Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, North Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi and
Southeast Sulawesi will benefit from the project, which will give
them three extra years of education.

The ADB loans are part of a nationwide government program.
Agencies such as the World Bank and Overseas Economic Cooperation
Fund of Japan are financing the project in other parts of the
country.

The project seeks to upgrade education by enhancing teacher
training, improving textbooks, libraries, laboratories,
management and supervision, the ADB said.