More kindergartens needed for 11 million children<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of National Education is set to
\nlaunch a nationwide \"kindergarten-for-all\" program in a bid to
\nhelp some 11 million children between three and six years old
\nattend preschool, starting in January.<\/p>\n
\"Eighty percent of the country's population are living in
\nvillages. And only a small number of children have the chance to
\ngo to kindergarten,\" Director General of Basic and Middle Level
\nEducation Indra Djati Sidi said on Friday.<\/p>\n
According to 1999 ministry data, the country has a total of
\n41,420 kindergartens -- some 80 percent of which are managed by
\nprivate sectors -- with 1,583,467 pupils.<\/p>\n
\"We need at least 200,000 kindergartens nationwide for at
\nleast 11 million children between the ages of three and six years
\nof age,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The basic concept of preschool or kindergarten is playing, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"The lessons must be very simple for this age group and
\ntherefore the school is not meant to be expensive.\"<\/p>\n
The program allows local communities as well as private
\nsectors to open kindergartens in their respective neighborhoods
\nunder the supervision of the local office of the Ministry of
\nEducation.<\/p>\n
\"The standards are set by the ministry. We don't have to wait
\nfor an infrastructure, such as having buildings built. People can
\nuse the existing village hall (Balai Desa) to start this,\" Indra
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The teachers do not necessarily have to be preschool teaching
\ngraduates, he said.<\/p>\n
\"In some cases, university students can help these children.
\nThis is part of the national education strategy to elevate the
\nquality of human resources,\" he said.<\/p>\n
At the kindergarten level, children are taught about
\nsolidarity and friendship and they begin to interact with their
\nnatural environment, he added.<\/p>\n
\"In the context of regional autonomy, each region will have
\nfree reign over developing its own culture. Children in
\nkindergarten can learn about traditional games, food as well as
\nflora and fauna,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Children's memories are sensitive and therefore it would be
\neasy for children to learn about moral studies through daily
\npractice, Director for Preschools and Elementary Schools
\nDarmastuti Sutrisno said.<\/p>\n
\"We are trying to urge people to develop the kindergarten-for-
\nall program.<\/p>\n
\"Private sectors who wish to build a preschool must have the
\nproper foundation documents, the list of the founders, the list
\nof teachers and students and their identity.<\/p>\n
\"They also have to submit the list of equipment and school
\nmaterial available, the programs to be run and documents that
\nstate their willingness to oblige to the existing regulations,\"
\nDarmastuti said. (edt)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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