| Untitled Document World Bank Office Jakarta
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Gedsiri Suhartono: (62-21) 5299-3114
gsuhartono@worldbank.org Dutch grant expected to add value to efforts improve access to quality education for children aged 7 to 15 Jakarta , December 15, 2008 – The World Bank has signed an agreement with the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands on the provision of $ 20 million to help the Ministry of National Education maximize the effectiveness of the BOS (Bantuan Operasional Sekolah or School Operational Assistance) Program. The Dutch grant, which will be administered by the World Bank, will be used to ensure that BOS funds to schools are well used, and parents are better informed about the BOS program. “We are confident that our support will add value to the already well-implemented BOS program,” said Dutch Deputy Chief of Mission, Dr. Ad Koekkoek. “Extended support will benefit the program by more effectively targeting and reaching families in need of support, whilst encouraging a more active parental and community oversight.” The Dutch grant was announced during a visit by Dr. Koekkoek and World Bank Managing Director Juan Jose Daboub to SDN Gunung 01, a public elementary school in Jakarta that receives BOS funding. There, they interacted with school committees and parents to gain a better understanding of the community-driven process behind BOS fund allocation. The World Bank is supporting the BOS program through BOS KITA (School Operational Assistance – Knowledge Improvement for Transparency and Accountability), a project which aims to improve access to quality education for all children aged 7 to 15 by: - working to strengthen school committees,
- increasing community participation,
- improving fiduciary arrangements for greater transparency and accountability in the use of BOS funds.
“With BOS-KITA, the World Bank and the Netherlands are working in new ways with Indonesia, supporting an existing government program which represents an investment in the future of young Indonesian people,” said Mr. Daboub. “We, the generation of parents, teachers as well as the development partners, have the ability and the responsibility to give the new generation of Indonesia an opportunity to take part in the path to prosperity. BOS, which will contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, is an excellent step in this direction.” Under the auspices of the World Bank, the Dutch grant will be used to strengthen a number of activities: monitoring, evaluations and complaint handling; social marketing and information campaign; as well as strengthening existing BOS teams at the school-level. The total Dutch contribution to the education sector in Indonesia amounted to more than $57 million in 2008.
To read more about the World Bank’s support for Indonesia visit: www.worldbank.org/id |
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