TEMPO Interactive, Medan: The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) will aid the development of the education sector in Nias and South Nias with a fund allocation of US$20 million.
“As much as 40 percent of the funds will be used by UNICEF to set up physical development,” said Raoul De Torcy, Project Director of UNICEF, when meeting with Governor of North Sumatera Rudolf Pardede, on Saturday (04/14).
An earthquake that occurred two years ago resulted in 80 percent of school buildings in Nias and South Nias being badly damaged.
In addition to constructing around 960 classrooms, the funds, Torcy stated, will also be utilized for training 1,400 teachers.
It is expected that this initiative will be able to improve the quality of education and conform to the national education curriculum as well.
In addition, UNICEF will also build 35 integrated services posts as well as centers for assisting children and pregnant women.
Especially for disabled children, the UNICEF will set up classroom facilities, expected to be completed by this coming June.
Governor Rudolf Pardede said he hoped the promise of UNICEF could be realized soon and be made use of by the people of Nias.
“We hope that the donors that have promised to rebuild Nias can realize their commitments, including the building of schools, houses and places of worship,” said Rudolf.
Meanwhile, the Australian Ambassador for Indonesia Bill Farmer attended the inauguration of Junior High School (SMP) 2 of Manuju's building, South Sulawesi, Friday (04/13).
According to Mia Salim, a member of the public relations staff of the Australian Embassy, this school was one of the 2,000 SMP in 19 provinces being built with Australia's aid up until 2009 with a total budget of A$355 million.
“There are 55 SMPs that are being built in South Sulawesi during 2006-2007,” she said.
Thirty-five of the schools are new units and another 21 are one-roof elementary school and SMPs.
Hambali Batubara | SUDRAJAT
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