Australia pledges $3.7 million for UN's RI education programs

Australia pledges $3.7 million for UN's RI education programs

Agence France-Presse Sydney, Australia

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer on Monday announced Australia would commit A$5 million (US$3.7 million) to United Nations education programs in Indonesia.

Downer said the funds would enable education to reach a further 624 schools in 13 districts.

United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) operate the Creating Learning Communities for Children (CLCC) program in conjunction with the Indonesian government to provide basic education to young Indonesians.

"The Australian government has a strong commitment to expanding donor support for basic education in Indonesia, including in the mainstream Islamic school system," said Downer, who is in Indonesia to attend the Council for Security Co- operation in the Asia-Pacific.

"The Australian objective is to ensure the number of secular schools and madrasah (Islamic schools) under the CLCC program can reach a critical mass."

The CLCC program also helps district governments to plan and deliver basic education.

"It is clear the CLCC program is succeeding in meeting some of Indonesia's basic education needs, including funding, community support and improving the quality and relevance of education," Downer said.