School textbooks to last five years

JAKARTA: The government announced on Saturday that school textbooks should be used for five consecutive years.

Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Alwi Shihab said the government took the decision to help parents save money on textbooks.

Many parents have complained about school textbooks that keep changing every year, making it impossible for students to give their textbooks to their younger brothers when they move up a grade.

Alwi said the new ruling took effect immediately. --Antara