However, by end-December, some 75,000 students had already enrolled in primary schools. The lack of a secondary education system, which is resulting in some secondary school students enrolling in primary school, and the widespread recognition among parents of the importance of education, have also positively affected school attendance. Although Bahasa Indonesian will be the language of instruction at the primary level for the next two years, textbooks are still scarce.
Teachers currently instruct classes in the languages they are most familiar and comfortable with.
Mathematics, reading and writing are standard, but the teaching of other subjects is optional and largely depends on the skills of teachers as well as the language of available education materials. Other subjects being taught in some schools include history, Portuguese, English, science and biology. These kits include blackboards, pencils, paper and all of the other teaching and learning supplies needed to reopen schools. As a temporary measure, tarpaulins are being distributed to schools without roofs in order to allow them to hold classes. All rights reserved.