Backlash mounts as minister mulls 'full-day school' program

Criticisms rose on Tuesday against the Indonesian government's plan to introduce a program that adds more hours for elementary and junior high school students.

Newly appointed Education and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy said on Monday he had proposed a "full-day school" system which is expected to increase monitoring of students and improve their knowledge.

According to the minister, the program will require public schools to provide additional extracurricular activities or soft-skill classes which will keep students busy until 5 pm. Most students currently start at 7 am and spend six or seven hours at school.