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.