Ruinous schools normal in come areas

Irvan NR, The Jakarta Post, Palu, Central Sulawesi

Dozens of pupils from State Elementary 1 school in Lemo, Parigi Moutong (Parimo) regency, are forced to learn on dirt floors as their chairs and desks are in disrepair. When it rains, leaky roofs mean these floors turn to mud.

The dilapidated walls of the 24-year-old, two-block school are full of holes, its white paint worn with age -- and the toilets don't work.

School principal Ihwan said recently the school had not been renovated since it was built in 1980.

If nothing was done in the next few months, its lack of structural integrity meant pupils were at risk. A strong wind or earthquake, could cause it to collapse, endangering children's lives, Ihwan said.

The school could not rely on the school committee, made up of parents, as it could not afford to fix buildings in such poor condition, he said.

"We have only asked for maintenance costs from the parents. The government has to lend a helping hand to save the school building."

A teacher, Ashab, hoped the Parimo Education Office would inspect the school. "How will the quality of education in the area improve if students have to study on the floor," he said.

Lemo's elementary school may be in bad shape, but it is not alone. About half of the 337 elementary schools throughout the Parimo regency are known to be in a dilapidated condition.

Parimo Regent Longki Djanggola said his government would begin to renovate broken school buildings in the area soon, so classes in these schools could return to normal.

"We understand the problem, which has been going on for years. However, planning for the rehabilitation of old schools could only be started after the Parimo regency officially became an autonomous region," Longki said.

"We have already allocated Rp 1.65 billion (US$200,000) from the 2003 Special Allocation Fund, which was used to renovate old and broken buildings. In 2004, it will be Rp 2.3 billion." he said.

The Rp 1.65 billion in funds were allocated to renovate 32 state and Islamic elementary schools. State Islamic elementary schools are under the supervision of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

This year, with funds of Rp 2.3 billion, 46 state and Islamic elementary schools in Parimo would be rehabilitated -- with Rp 50 million allocated to each school.

There are 322 state and 15 Islamic elementary schools in Parimo.