Dropouts to be given incentive to return

SEMARANG: The government has allocated funds to help dropout students -- or those who are considering dropping out of school -- continue their studies under a program set for the next academic year 2004/2005.

Under the program, certain students would be given Rp 1 million (US$108) for the school year. It will focus on elementary school students.

"The program is designed to encourage dropout students, whose families are struggling financially, back to school," head of Central Java Education Agency Soebagyo Brotosedjati said on Friday. -- Antara