Some schools find sponsorship from private sector

As the government braces to foot a hefty bill for the reconstruction of schools that were damaged in the 921 quake, the education minister has announced that at least some help will come from the private sector.

Minister of Education Kirby Yung (楊朝2?/CHINESE>) yesterday announced that the reconstruction projects of 72 elementary and junior high schools, which will cost NT$6.5 billion, have found private sponsorship.

A total of 786 schools suffered damage in the earthquake, with the funds needed for repairs and reconstruction estimated at NT$37.4 billion, according to ministry statistics.

Ministry officials have estimated that they will only be able to raise approximately NT$20 billion by putting off indefinitely or delaying education projects which are not urgent.

In an effort to relieve the financial burden involved, the ministry has tried to seek private sponsorship for the reconstruction projects of 124 destroyed and severely damaged elementary and junior high schools in Taichung City, Taichung County, Nantou County and Yunlin County.

Yung said careful planning will be conducted before the construction work starts, and the ministry will ensure the rebuilt school buildings meet anti-quake standards.

Also, Yung said the government is looking for appropriate government-owned lands to relocate schools that are within 100 meters from active faults and were destroyed in the quake.

He said the exact number of schools to be relocated will be announced by this Saturday.　

However, some politicians disagree with the ministry's decision to invite private sponsorship for compulsory elementary and junior high education, which is supposed to be funded totally by the government.

DPP lawmaker Chien Hsi-chieh (?錫?g皆) said to raise enough money for reconstruction, the Ministry of Education should seek to shrink the budgets for higher education, since they have always enjoyed more government funding than any other section of education.

"Furthermore, higher education institutions are better able to obtain corporate and private funding," Chien said.

He proposed the Ministry of Education suspend a NT$13 billion funding plan for academic research programs and freeze plans for new buildings in universities for five years.

The funding plan, which would be carried out over a five-year period, was put forth as part of an educational reform package to "pursue academic excellence" in local universities.

Opposition lawmakers criticized the plan as unnecessary since it was raised last year.

In response, Yung said the Executive Yuan and the education ministry will decide what adjustments to make after a review of the available financial resources.

The estimated cost of repairs has been broken down as NT$19.6 billion for 656 damaged elementary and junior high schools; NT$9.2 billion for 47 damaged public and private colleges; and NT$8.6 billion for 83 damaged senior high and vocational schools.