Proper school buildings needed

Proper school buildings needed

TANGERANG (JP): At least 3,000 students from 56 state
elementary schools are putting their lives at risk while studying
in badly damaged school buildings, an official said over the
weekend.

Head of the Tangerang regency's Education and Culture Office,
Mochamad Basyari, said the walls of the buildings were badly
cracked and needed major repairs which would cost some Rp 7
billion (US$1 million).

"I've proposed that the funds come from the regency budget and
the West Java administration for the renovation of the buildings.
But the funds haven't come through yet," Basyari said.

He was afraid for the teenage students studying in the schools
and concerned that the students' teaching-learning process would
be disrupted.

According to data from his office, the regency has 980
elementary school buildings, 56 of which are seriously damaged
and require immediate renovation.

A total of 488 school buildings also have minor damage and
therefore also need repair.

The 565 badly damaged buildings are mostly located in slum
areas, such as Mauk, Kresek, Kronjo, Pakuhaji, Balaradja, Legok,
Tigaraksa and Cisoka.

Basyari said many students had to study in inappropriate sites
since their schools were damaged.

He cited an example that at least 100 students of an
elementary school in Mauk currently study in their principal's
official residence since their three classrooms had collapsed.

"Many of the students have to stand up in the house since
there is not enough chairs," he said.

He said funds had been raised by students' parents for the
renovation of some buildings.

"But the temporary renovation was not enough," he added.
(41/jun)