Holland provides $30.4 million grant for local schools

BOGOR (JP): The Netherlands agreed on Friday to extend a whooping US$30.4 million grant to finance the development of around 4,000 schools, in particular those in areas that have been disrupted by social unrest and natural disasters.

"Education is essential to a nation. Therefore most of the grant is going toward basic education. We want to help Indonesia build its future," Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia S. Baron Van Heemstra said after signing the grant agreement in a ceremony at An-Nizhamiyyah junior high school in Cileungsi, Jonggol regency.

Minister of National Education Yahya Muhaimin, who signed the pledge on Indonesia's behalf, stressed that it was a gift.

"Remember kids, this is not a debt. This is for free, so don't worry, it won't become a burden in the future," he told pupils at the school, which has been earmarked to benefit from the grant.

"We hope that 20 years from now, you'll remember this moment," Yahya said.

The grant, the implementation of which is being coordinated with the World Bank, will support the School Improvement Grants Program (SIGP). The program is aimed at strengthening the quality and condition of 4,000 state and private elementary and junior high schools.

World Bank country director Mark Baird was present at the ceremony as were Director General of Finance at the Ministry of Finance Anshari Ritonga and the Director General for Primary and Secondary Education at the Ministry of National Education, Indra Djati Sidi.

Indra said the money would be given to schools in three categories: those in riot-torn areas such as Maluku and North Maluku, Aceh and Poso (Central Sulawesi) and Atambua in East Nusa Tenggara); in areas recently destroyed by natural disasters such as earthquakes in Luwuk-Banggai in Central Sulawesi, Sukabumi in West Java and Bengkulu; and in areas considered as impoverished.

"Destitute areas include those that are sheltering refugees from riots or disasters such as in North and South Sulawesi and Buton and Sambas in West Kalimantan," Indra said.

Out of the total sum, $28.8 million will be used for a school quality improvement scheme, $1.2 million to facilitate monitoring and evaluation of the program, and $400,000 to support the preparation of a series of basic education policies and socialization.

Each school however is free to come up with its own proposal.

"They are the ones who decide whether they need to repair school buildings, buy books or sport equipment or other facilities," Indra added. (edt)