Tangerang to renovate 34 dilapidated schools

TANGERANG (JP): Renovation will begin soon on 34 state elementary schools in a complete or advanced state of disrepair to allow students to study undisturbed, an education official said on Friday.

Moch. Basari, head of the regency's office of the education and culture ministry, said the schools were part of at least 104 elementary school buildings to be renovated this fiscal year.

"The renovation of the buildings is being conducted considering they are no longer suitable for the students to attend teaching and studying activities."

Basari said only 807 of the 1,677 state elementary schools in the regency were in good condition. About 85 were in complete disrepair, 284 in extremely poor condition and the remainder showing signs of age.

"Due to the many damaged buildings and others which are in poor condition, the students are forced to move to other buildings to continue their studies."

He said the regency allocated Rp 5 billion (US$666,000) for the renovation of the damaged school buildings for the current fiscal year.

Funds were provided after complaints from principals of the most severely affected buildings.

Regency spokeswoman Ena Karlina said that "out of 34 buildings located in 22 districts here, 21 buildings were in complete disrepair and another 13 were in poor condition due to old age

"The many damaged buildings do affect the teaching and learning process."

Ena said funds came from the Tangerang regency 1998/1999 budget, with assistance from the West Java administration and the program for least developed villages.

About 122 students of state elementary school SDN Negeri II in Koper village, Kresek district, have had their study time curtailed because classes can only be conducted in one building due to disrepair in another unit.

"This is the best way out at this time," said Arsyad, one of the school's teachers.

He regretted that the teachers could not provide a guarantee of the education quality due to the unusual circumstances.

The school complex, which is located in one of the least developed villages, has two buildings constructed in 1983 and 1992.

Classes have been moved to the more recently built building because the other is structurally unsound due to age and lack of maintenance, Arsyad said.

"The roof is held up by supporting poles. Students are sent home when it rains because we are afraid the building will collapse." (41/ivy)