Over 11,000 students get scholarships

PALU, Central Sulawesi: At least 11,344 students with commendable achievements in their studies at various elementary, junior and senior high schools in Banggai Islands (Bangkep) regency, Central Sulawesi, have received scholarships from the local government.

Head of the Bangkep education office Anwar Hasan said on Tuesday that the recipients, all from poor families, comprised 9,001 from elementary schools, 1,919 from junior high schools and 424 from junior high schools.

The local administration has allocated Rp 833.9 million (US$98,000) for the scholarships for the 2003-2004 period, he added.

Anwar also said the central government had provided Bangkep with billions of rupiah in special assistance this year to rebuild and renovate schools and other educational facilities in nine districts damaged by a powerful earthquake three years ago.

The May 4, 2000 earthquake killed 52 people and destroyed or damaged most of the 275 school buildings in the regency, as well as 23,000 houses and various public utilities. --Antara