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)