Rp 29b needed to rebuild Aceh schools

Rp 29b needed to rebuild Aceh schools

JAKARTA (JP): The government needs Rp 29 billion (US$3.2 million) to rebuild 76 schools that were destroyed or badly damaged by armed gangs in Aceh on Aug. 14 and Aug. 15, Minister of National Education A. Malik Fadjar announced on Thursday.

The minister said that the estimate was made based on reports from the regency administrations of North and East Aceh.

The arson received condemnation from all quarters. The Indonesian National Military (TNI) and Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist rebels have accused each other of burning the schools.

Thousands of students have had no place to study following the school attacks.

The North Aceh regency administration reported that 61 schools in the area were attacked, inflicting a loss of some Rp 22.6 billion.

The East Aceh regent has claimed that 15 school buildings were burnt down with damages estimated at Rp 6.3 billion.

Antara reported on Thursday that the Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla had sent an initial fund of Rp 7 billion for the rebuilding and restoration projects.

Malik Fadjar said some schools could be repaired or rebuilt within a month so that an estimated 10,000 students could be back at school by the end of September.