Bekasi allocates Rp 18b for schools

BEKASI: The Bekasi regency administration has allocated Rp 18 billion from its 2002 budget for the renovation of damaged school buildings and the construction of new schools.

The work will begin in July, said Syamsudin, a member of the regency council's Commission E for education.

But Syamsudin, a member of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), warned on Friday that strict controls were necessary to prevent the money from being siphoned off and to ensure the quality of the construction work.

He also called for transparency in the project tender, to avoid any corruption, collusion or nepotism.

His remarks apparently were made in response to reports about rampant corruption in government projects.

There are 705 state elementary schools, 34 state junior high schools, nine state high schools and two state vocational high schools in the regency, according to data from the local education office. Most of these schools are in poor condition.--Antara