AUSTRALIAN IDOL STAR VISITS SCHOOLS IN KUPANG, BEKASI

Jakarta, Aug 21 (ANTARA) - Australian Idol star Jessica Mauboy is currently in Indonesia from August 20-29 to meet and perform with children from SATAP Nunkurus School in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, and Nurul Huda School in Bekasi, West Java, an Australian Embassy press statement said on Thursday.

"These are two of 1000 schools already constructed or expanded under the Australia Indonesia Partnership," the statement said.

Australia is funding the A$ 355 million (Rp 3.018 trillion) basic education program to help the Indonesian Government achieve its objective that all Indonesian boys and girls will have access to nine years of basic education.

Construction of 1,500 junior secondary state schools and 500 junior secondary Islamic schools is to be completed by the end of 2009.

This means 330,000 more Indonesian children will be able to attend a school within easier reach of their homes. Their classrooms will be better places to learn.

Jessica will also visit Senang Hati Foundation in Bali, a community based program that provides physiotherapy and support for disabled people.

In Jakarta, Jessica will be a guest star at the Tribute To The Nation concert to commemorate the 63rd anniversary of Indonesian Independence.

"With her Australian mother and Indonesian father, Jessica is a living example of the strong people to people links between our two countries," Ambassador Bill Farmer said.

Jessica Mauboy's visit to Indonesia is sponsored by the Australia International Cultural Council (AICC) with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as part of IN2OZ: Creative Australia.

This extensive program of Australian cultural events in Indonesia in 2008 aims to strengthen cultural ties between Indonesia and Australia.