AusAID, in cooperation with the Indonesia education authorities and local communities, is currently providing valuable assistance with the construction of 2000 new SMP schools across Indonesia such as Madrasah Tsanawiyah in Jepara, Java.

The $355 million Australia Indonesia Partnership's Basic Education Program (BEP) will fund the construction or expansion of schools in 19 Indonesian provinces. Up to 1225 schools are expected to be completed by the end of 2007. The construction program will create more than 330,000 new junior secondary school places for 13 to 15 year olds, targeting children from poor and remote areas.