Shorter school week rejected

SEMARANG, Central Java: The local chapter of the United Development Party (PPP) says the five-day school week scheme which is being phased in on an experimental basis in the province is affecting the attendance of afternoon Islamic schools.

The longer hours students now spend in schools because of the shorter week is preventing them from attending the afternoon lessons usually used to enhance their knowledge about Islam.

PPP provincial councilors demanded yesterday that the government review the scheme. "It hurts Islamic educational institutions," said Thoyfoer, chief of the PPP faction in the provincial legislative council.

He said his faction was overwhelmed by demands, mostly from Islamic school teachers, to have the scheme dropped. (har)