Kuningan regency seeks bank loan to repair schools

Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Kuningan

Kuningan regental administration in West Java has applied for a Rp 10 billion (US$1.06 million) bank loan to repair elementary schools in the region.

Kuningan regent Aang Hamid Suganda said on Tuesday the administration did not have the funds to repair its older schools or those damaged by floods.

"At least Rp 40 billion is needed to rebuild some 1,774 classrooms in 376 elementary schools in the regency's 32 districts," he said.

"Like it or not, we have to do the repair work in stages according to our financial capacity," Aang said.

He said the administration applied for the loan from Bank Jabar.

"With the loan we could restore at least 400 classrooms. This is one way of speeding up repair work," Aang said.

According to the regency's education office, there are 4,682 classrooms in its 702 elementary schools. Most of the buildings were constructed between 1973 and 1982.

Apart from Kuningan regency, Indramayu is facing similar problems in regard to the poor state of its schools. Some 276 elementary schools in the regency's 28 districts are in dire need of repair.

"The damage disrupts the learning process since many of the buildings are in such a bad condition we fear they could collapse," said head of the Indramayu Education Office Masnata.

He said at least Rp 30 billion was needed to rebuild or repair some 276 of the regency's 869 elementary schools.

He said Rp 100 million to Rp 150 million was needed to rebuild an elementary school with six classrooms, a staff room and principal's office, as well as bathrooms and sports facilities.

Masnata said the regency's 2005 education budget of Rp 25 billion has largely been allocated to improve education standards and reduce the dropout rate in the area.

"So we no longer have money to rebuild the damaged schools," he said.

He said lack of maintenance had contributed to the damage.