Military involved in literacy drive

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The Trikora regional military command has assigned 257 of its personnel to take part in literacy campaigns in Maluku and Irian Jaya.

Trikora chief of staff Brig. Gen. Amir Syarifuddin told Antara here Saturday that 107 of the soldiers would be assigned to Irian Jaya and the rest to Maluku.

Their duties will include teaching about 50,000 illiterate people in the regencies of Sorong, Paniai, Merauke and Jayapura in Irian Jaya and in North and Central Maluku.

Although the government has offered various incentives, teachers are reluctant to work in isolated rural areas, where there is a chronic shortage of teachers.

The literacy campaign is being held in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Culture, which will provide books and other educational facilities. (pan)