New schools to open on education day

New schools to open on education day

JAKARTA (JP): The celebration of this year's National Education Day on May 2 will be centered in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, with President Soeharto presenting awards and opening new schools.

West Kalimantan Governor Aspar Aswin, after meeting with President Soeharto at the Merdeka Palace yesterday, said the educational Widyakrama awards would be presented to nine regents, mayors and other regional leaders who have made outstanding contributions to the development of education.

Soeharto will also launch National Book Month during the ceremony, which will be held at the local sports stadium, Aswin said.

"The President is expected to deliver a speech on the `Family literacy-awareness movement' planned by the National Family Planning Board, and further promote the nine-year compulsory education program," he announced.

Indonesia extended its compulsory education from six to nine years last year. To begin with, the project was implemented in selected areas having adequate facilities and resources.

Soeharto will inaugurate several projects during his visit to West Kalimantan, including the Rp 6.5 billion (US$2.9 million) Supadio Airport, the Rp 2.5 billion Pontianak state Technical Secondary School and the Rp 13.8 billion Melamo and Tawan Tiga bridges, all of which are government funded, and the Rp 6.2 billion and $3.3 million Ketapang highway.

Soeharto will also open the Taruna Bumi Katulistiwa Technical Secondary School, a private-funded institution which costs some Rp 6 billion.

Aswin said a short production depicting the people's efforts in improving human resources through the nine-year compulsory education project will be staged by the Bali Dancing Academy during the ceremony. (pwn)