School renovation project stalled

BEKASI: The renovation of eight state schools in Bekasi municipality has been delayed because of confusion over the amount of money disbursed for the project, an official said on Friday.

Alexander Zulkarnain, head of education facilities at the Bekasi Education Agency, said the West Java administration informed the agency in July it had transferred Rp 100 million (US$11,111) to the Bekasi administration for the renovations.

The provincial administration made a correction two months later, saying the agency had in fact received Rp 730 million.

"Now it is difficult to get the remaining Rp 630 million," Alexander said.

The eight schools scheduled for renovation are the Teluk Pucung, Margahayu, Jati Asih, Jati Rangga and Jati Rangon elementary schools, SMP 2 junior high school and two Islamic schools.

However, some of the school principals and school committee members claimed education agency officials asked them to write up false reports by December on the progress of renovation work that is not being done. -- JP