Shorter school week rejected

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)