DENPASAR ~ The government allocated Rp2.3 billion (US$249,500) to help fund the education of disabled people, a spokesman said.

Ida Bagus Made Parwata, from the Department of Education, said that the money would be used for funding operations in schools for the disabled. There are currently 16 schools of this nature in Bali, he said.

“Approximately Rp1.8 billion will be used for funding normal day-to-day operations. Additional funds will be given to purchase books and provide extracurricular activities,” Parwata said.

He said the government had spent more than Rp243 million awarding scholarships to 1,160 disabled people in Bali.