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VP tells minister to review full-day school plan
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Elementary school students pray together on the first day of school at elementary school SDN Simomulyo V, Surabaya in East Java on July 18. (Antara/Zabur Karuru)
V
ice President Jusuf Kalla has told the Culture and Education Ministry to review its plan to extend elementary and junior high school hours, saying that the plan is viable but can’t be applied at all schools.
Kalla said many private schools had implemented the full-day system, but many aspects would have to be considered before it was extended to all schools. He made the comments on the sidelines of the forth Indonesia International Geothermal Convention and Exhibition (IIGCE) at the Jakarta Convention Center on Wednesday.
He urged the minister to asses which schools were ready to conduct trials in certain areas. "Try it first in particular areas, if the results are good, we can carry out the plan gradually. Because I'm sure not all regions need it. For example, in rural areas some students might need time to help their parents."
Newly installed Culture and Education Minister Muhadji Effendy’s controversial full-day school plan has drawn mounting public criticism. The extra school hours will purportedly guarantee students’ safety until their parents finish work. They will partly be used for character-building activities. The idea of the full-day school system came from Finland, which according to Muhadjir is home to the best human resources due to the country’s character-based education. (dmr)
