Building collapse stops classes

TANGERANG: Hundreds of students of the state elementary school in Pangadegan, Tangerang, Banten, have not attended classes since their school was damaged by a strong wind two weeks ago.

"We are concerned at this as there is no party yet paying attention to the condition of our school building," head of the Pangadegan Subdistrict Council (BPD) Endang Sudradjat was quoted by Antara as saying on Saturday.

He said that the strong wind, which was accompanied by heavy rain, had damaged most of the school building, which is made of wood, two weeks ago. "Now only two rooms can be used to teach the school's 400 students," he said.

According to him, the remaining two rooms could collapse anytime as the school building was quite old. "This could endanger the students," he said.

Endang called on Tangerang regent Agus Djunara to deal with the problem at the school so that teaching at the school could return to normal.

School principal Tasiah Maryani said that since its construction 20 years ago, the building had not been renovated at all.