Irian Jaya needs 7,000 teachers

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Irian Jaya still needs some 7,000 elementary school teachers, JP. Letsoin, the head of the local education office, said here.

Letsoin told The Jakarta Post numerous elementary schools in isolated villages had no teachers, while others had only one or two teachers.

To resolve the problem, the local administration has decided to reestablish the Teacher Education Program. He said the program would be established in each regency in the province.

"By establishing the program in each regency, local students can be accepted and they in turn can be sent to teach their brothers in their respective villages," Letsoin explained.

Due to the grave need for teachers, Letsoin said it had been agreed that junior high school graduates who were willing to teach at the elementary school level could be accepted in the program.

These would-be teachers will then take part in a five-part program. The first part will take place in Timika, Mimika regency, later this year.(eba)