U.S. to provide money for education

U.S. to provide money for education

JAKARTA: U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Ralph L. Boyce
reiterated on Thursday his government planned to provide US$157
million to strengthen the quality and capability of public and
religious (pesantren) schools here.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Coordinating
Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla, Boyce denied
suggestions that the assistance, which would be disbursed over
the next six years, was meant to interfere with the curriculum of
pesantren.

"I don't know where that idea comes from. The education system
in pesantren is one of the greatest education systems in the
country," he said.

Kalla said he would discuss the details of the distribution of
the aid with the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Ministry
of National Education.

However, he said the U.S. could also directly provide
assistance to schools and pesantren run by the Nahdlatul Ulama
and Muhammadiyah Muslim organizations.

The $157 million assistance was first announced by U.S.
President George W. Bush during his meeting with President
Megawati Soekarnoputri in Bali last month. --JP