School books arrive late

SORONG, Irian Jaya: Fifty packages of urgently needed books for elementary and junior high schools are lying idle in a warehouse because the local education office cannot pay the port fees.

The books, which should have been distributed before the start of the new school year last week, have been at the warehouse for the last two months, the Antara news agency reported.

A port official identified as Freddy recalled that this is not the first time the local education office has failed to pay fees. The last time was in December, and it was six months before the education office came up with the payment.

He said the books could suffer damage if they are kept unattended at the warehouse much longer. (prs)