English to be taught to children

BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan: English will be taught at elementary schools (SD) in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, the head of the provincial education office said here on Monday.

"We support the use of English as a second language, particularly in elementary schools, in the academic year 2004 to 2005," Hernawati said, adding that English will be taught for at least two hours per week.

She said as many as 170 elementary schools in the municipality had teachers who could teach English. To make the program a success, the provincial administration would provide extra English teachers, she said. -- Antara