Rp 250 billion for rural kids

Rp 250 billion for rural kids

KLATEN, Central Java: The government has set aside Rp 250
billion (US$106 million) to provide supplementary food to school
children in rural areas.

Mubyarto, an expert from the National Planning Board, said
yesterday the assistance was to follow up the state-sponsored aid
for impoverished villages program, which will end this year.

"The money will be used to improve the nutrition of elementary
school-aged children across the country," Mubyarto told
journalists.

He said that the supplementary food program aimed to improve
the nutrition of poor children in rural areas, which would
hopefully boost their intellect.

According to Mubyarto, 25.9 million Indonesians still live in
poverty. Their number is expected to drop to 12 million by the
end of 1999. (har/pan)