Rp 650b allotted for school repairs

Rp 650b allotted for school repairs

SURABAYA: The government has decided to allocate Rp 650 billion for school repairs in 2003, including rebuilding schools destroyed by floods, an official says.

Director General for elementary and high schools of the Ministry of National Education Indra Jati Sidi said the funds were taken from special funds and grants from the Asian Development Bank and the Dutch government.

"The budget is very small, local governments and the public at large also have to participate in the program," Indra Jati said.

He said each regency and mayoralty would receive around Rp 2 billion, with priority given to least-developed regencies.

He admitted that his office had no data on the number of school buildings destroyed by recent floods.

Indra Jati also appealed to schools, whose buildings were damaged by floods, to continue holding classes by setting up makeshift classes. --JP