The 2000th school built under the Australia Indonesia Basic Education Program was officially opened in July by Stephen Smith, former Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and H.E. Dr. R.M. Marty Natalegawa, Indonesia's Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Madrasah Balaraja is a state junior secondary madrasah (Islamic school) located in Tangerang, Banten Province. It is a 'one roof' school, meaning it has been built next to a primary madrasah which helps students transition easily from primary to junior secondary school.
Previously there was only one other junior secondary school in this poor, highly-populated area and this was at full capacity. The new Madrasah Balaraja will allow another 128 children to continue their education.
Between 2005 and 2010 Australia funded the construction of more than 2000 junior secondary schools across 20 of Indonesia's provinces.
This has included more than 1500 public schools and 500 Islamic schools, and has created around 330,000 new junior secondary school places for 13-15 year olds.
Australia's assistance in the education sector reinforces our commitment to helping the Indonesian Government achieve its target of providing nine years of compulsory education for all children by 2015.
Each school has been constructed by the local community, using local labour, equipment and materials under the direction of the Ministry of National Education for public schools and the Ministry of Religious Affairs for Islamic schools.
All schools became fully operational for the new school year in July 2010.
More information on the Australia Indonesia Basic Education Program [external website]