Japanese Government Supports Indonesia's Islamic School Rehabiliation

JAKARTA, March 24 (Antara) - The Japanese government has supported an Islamic elementary "Madrasah Ibtidaiyah" (MI) Ma'arif NU 11 Bulusari School's rehabilitation in Cilacap, a district in the southwestern of Central Java Province. The Japanese government has provided around Rp974 million for the last year's "Grassroot" aid-funding scheme, the Embassy of Japan in Indonesia said in its written statement received here on Thursday. The renovation ceremony, which was held on March 22 in the district, was attended by the embassy's Economic Counselor to Indonesia Mari Takada, a district's Islamic figure Muniriyanto, and a Religious Affair Ministry's representative Jamun Effendi. As the only Islamic elementary education facility in the district, "MI Ma'arif NU 11 Bulusari" School's renovation was important to support the learning processes of the students. "The Japanese government has committed to help the local administration to improve the elementary education's quality," the embassy stated while adding that the renovation has been conducted under 'MI Ma'arif NU 11 Bulusari School's Rehabilitation Program.' The fund has aided the district's elementary Islamic school to not only renovate the four classrooms but also provide three new classes, proper lights, electricity, as well as other facilities such as desks and chairs, it noted. "Grassroot" aid fund is a part of the Japanese government's Official Development Assistance (ODA) program, which is committed to assist developing countries, including Indonesia, to improve the economical, social, educational, and cultural sectors. Started since 1989, the aid program has been devoted to support community at the grass-root level such as provincial governments, district administrations, and local foundations, the embassy noted in its official website.