Indonesia is expanding a free education program for children who have left school and for children living or working on the streets.
Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said about 43,000 children had returned to education through the Sekolah Rakyat, or People's School, program.
Instead of waiting for new buildings, the Ministry of Social Affairs has been turning underused facilities into school sites. That lets children begin learning sooner while larger campuses are prepared.
The program provides more than classes. Participating children can also receive accommodation, meals, health coverage, and school supplies. Officials said dozens, and possibly as many as 100, new sites are expected to begin full operations by the end of August.
