Tangerang to renovate 34 dilapidated schools

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)