Rp 350b to be spent on education

PEKANBARU, Riau: Bengkalis regental government has earmarked a staggering Rp 350 billion (US$ 36.8 million) budget this year for education, a top government official said here on Saturday.

Education accounted for some 35 percent of a total Rp 1 trillion regental budget this year, or almost twice the government budget specified by the state Constitution -- 20 percent -- said Syamsurizal, the Bengkalis regent.

The staggering amount of money allocated for education indicated that the regental government was committed to education, said Syamsurizal. -- Antara