Bekasi allocates Rp 18b for schools

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