Number of dropouts rise

PURWOKERTO, Central Java: A total of 11,258 students in Banyumas regency have dropped out of school since the economic crisis hit last year, an official said on Wednesday.

Sutjipto, the head of Banyumas education office, told The Jakarta Post that those who dropped out were part of more than 27,000 students from elementary to high school who could not afford their school fees.

The remaining 15,747 students are able to stay in school due to financial assistance from the World Bank, Sutjipto added.

He said World Bank assistance totaled Rp 7.4 billion (US$ 986,666).

The first portion of the assistance, amounting to Rp 3.8 billion, was disbursed last November, while the second portion will be disbursed within the next three months. (45/01)