South Sumatra allocates Rp 60b to renovate damaged schools

Khairul Saleh , The Jakarta Post , Palembang | Fri, 09/19/2008 11:48 AM | The Archipelago

The South Sumatra provincial administration has set aside funds amounting to Rp 60 billion (US$6.38 million) out of a total education budget of Rp 116 billion to restore damaged schools across the province, says an official.

Head of the programs subdivision at the South Sumatra education agency Budiono said Thursday the provision of the grant was based on Home Ministry Regulation No. 13/2006 stipulating building repairs in regencies and municipalities should be carried out by means of grants.

Budiono said the grant funds have been allocated to renovate as many as 391 school buildings in 15 regencies and municipalities in South Sumatra. The funds will be disbursed during September.

"As many as 317 elementary, 50 junior high and 15 senior high and vocational schools will be rehabilitated," Budiono said.

He added schools categorized as moderately or severely damaged would be eligible. Some 80 percent of elementary schools and 40 percent of junior and senior high schools fit that category.

Budiono's office has classified 2,800 out of 4,000 public and Islamic elementary schools in the province as eligible. Eligible junior high schools number 480 out of 1,200, eligible senior high schools, 240 out of 600.

Schools sustaining between 40 to 50 percent damage are categorized as moderately damaged: generally this means classroom floors, ceilings, windows and furniture are in disrepair. Those scoring between 60 to 90 percent are categorized as severely damaged: usually their walls and roofs are falling apart or the entire structure is askew.

"We have set a goal for all damaged schools to be rehabbed by 2009. We hope any temporary buildings will be replaced with permanent ones by then," Budiono said.

Through an earlier funding round, the province has so far restored seven elementary schools and renovated five junior high and two senior high schools.

The grants will also be used to build 17 new kindergartens, additional classrooms for junior and senior high schools and science laboratories for 11 senior high and vocational schools.