Little money for school repairs

JAKARTA: The city administration says it can only provide Rp 10 billion (US$ 1.1 million) for the renovation of 10 dilapidated elementary schools.

Meanwhile, 58 others will be left in a dangerous condition.

The 10 schools will only get Rp 1 billion each while the money needed for their full rehabilitation is well above this amount.

The poor state of many public schools in the city came to light when the roof of the SDN 2 Kwitang Public Elementary School collapsed last Thursday, destroying a classroom.

"We do not have enough money to renovate all 68 city-run elementary schools, so we have to select those that are in the worst condition," City Secretary Ritola Tasmaya said on Tuesday.

Ritola admitted that at least two years would be required for all the schools to be fully renovated.

Meanwhile, City Elementary Education Agency director Gito Purnomo said that initially his agency had proposed a budget of Rp 1.5 billion for each school, but this figure had been slashed by the City Council.

"I have ordered all of my officials to closely monitor the condition of all elementary schools.

"They have been ordered to close the schools if their condition deteriorates further, and to shift the pupils to other, nearby schools," said Gito. -- JP