Teachers hold free classes

Teachers hold free classes

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: The local chapter of the
teachers union PGRI is organizing classes for children from poor
families who can't afford junior high school tuition fees.

PGRI chapter chairman Awang Andriani said there are around
6,000 graduates of elementary schools in East Kalimantan and
8,000 dropouts who could not continue their education for
financial reasons, Antara reported.

The teachers union will organize free classes for these
children to allow them to complete junior high school, Awang
said.

The government in May extended the compulsory education
scheme from six years to nine years, adding three years of junior
high school.

Awang, who is also head of the East Kalimantan Education and
Culture Office, said around 2,500 children are attending these
classes. He added that hopefully all dropouts will be able to
join the program. (emb)