Jakarta – The promise of free education for many elementary and junior high school students in Jakarta and the Thousands Islands regency from late January onward has been welcomed by parents.

The administration has upped the 2006 provincial budget allocation for development in education to Rp 689 billion from Rp 500 billion.

Head of the city's agency for basic education Sylviana Murni said on Thursday the education costs borne by the administration amounted to Rp 69,500 for each elementary school student and Rp 127,000 for each junior high school student monthly.

Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) shows there are 2280 elementary schools and 286 junior high schools in Jakarta.

The schools can still ask parents to pay extra fees but in restricted amounts. "For elementary school students, they can impose fees of up to Rp 100,000 and for junior high school students Rp 125,000," she said.