Teacher shortage in Irian Jaya

Teacher shortage in Irian Jaya

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: At least 12,000 elementary school
teachers are urgently needed in Irian Jaya, the head of the
provincial teaching and education office, J.P. Letsoin, said on
Friday.

"We needed at least 5,000 religion teachers and some 7,000
teachers for various subjects," Letsoin said.

Despite the high demand for teachers, about 600 already
working in the province have requested transfers out of Irian
Jaya.

The unstable political situation in Irian Jaya, particularly
with growing calls for independence, have prompted many teachers
to flee, he said.

"In some cases, students even chased away their teachers and
threw stones at them when they gave lectures about Indonesian
history," Letsoin said.

The official called on the political elite, community and
religious leaders, legislators and local government officials in
the restive province to find an immediate solution. "Otherwise we
may lose a generation due to a lack of schooling."

Meanwhile, thousands of houses built for elementary school
teachers in remote villages in Jayawijaya district have been
abandoned by their occupants due to rampant theft in these areas.

The houses were constructed near the 311 elementary schools
spread over 28 subdistricts in Jayawijaya.

Teachers apparently prefer to live in rented houses in the
district capital of Wamena, despite often having to endure a
three to four-hour journey to their schools.

"We feel unsafe. At night we cannot sleep," said Eko, a
teacher at Kulagaima elementary school in Hibikosi subdistrict.
(eba/edt)