

Head of Papua’s Education, Youth and Sport Department, Elias Wonda (Jubi)
Jayapura, 20/2 (Jubi) – The central government has earmarked 345 billion rupiah for School Operational Grant (BOS) in Papua province, the provincial education chief said.
“The allocated funds will be distributed to all elementary and junior high schools throughout Papua,” said the head of Papua’s Education, Youth and Sport Department, Elias Wonda.
The funds have been long time transferred to the provincial government, however the Governor must complete administration requirements before distributing the money to the regencies and municipalities,” Wonda told to reporters on Tuesday (20/2) in Jayapura, Papua.
Around 171 billion has been distributed to 433,152 students of elementary schools (approx. 125 billion) and 127,960 students of junior high schools (approx. 45 billion) in the first semester of January – June 2014 period.
“The Provincial Education Department only manages administration requirements. The Financial Board then will transfer the funds to regencies and municipalities, and then the money is transferred to the regional account before being distributed to the bank account of each school,” he said.
He added that of 29 regencies and municipalities, Jayapura Municipality received the biggest amount of around 14 billion in the first semester. In 2013, the ceiling of the BOS funds was at 322 billion rupiah.
Meanwhile, a resident of Jayapura City, Julia Wakerkwa, said she hoped the BOS funds from the central government could reach proper beneficiaries and will not be stolen by corrupt officials. (Jubi/Alex/rom)