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)