Some 365 school teachers in Aceh trained with private funding
(The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh, Monday, 16 June 2008)

At least 365 school teachers and principals in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD) province have undergone a Teachers Education and Training in Aceh (TETA) program funded by private organizations.

The program was implemented by Sampoerna Foundation with support from the Credit Suisse Group Foundation (CSGF). It began in November 2006 and will end on June 21 this year.

Sampoerna Foundation spokesman Sapto H Sakti said here on Monday the program was intended to improve the teachers' capability in instructing students in classrooms.

He said the powerful earthquake and ensuing tsunami that devastated Aceh on December 26, 2004 obliterated education facilities and infrastructure in the province. The CSGF, therefore, has tried to improve the quality of education in the province through the TETA program with funds totaling Rp 8 billion (US$851,289).

Sapto said the focus of CSGF's attention in contributing to Aceh's rehabilitation and reconstruction was on improving the teaching capability of teachers in Aceh.(**)