Riau needs 14,000 teachers

PEKANBARU, Riau (Jakata Post): Governor Rusli Zainal said as a result of chronic teacher shortages in Riau, students in some villages were being taught by their schools' janitors.

"We need around 14,000 teachers to solve this shortage," the governor said earlier this week.

The administration has already recruited 8,000 teachers to ease shortages in the classroom.

"But not all the teachers here have the level of competency that we need. That's why we still need more teachers, particularly ones with excellent skills," said Rusli during a break in the recent swearing-in ceremony for the new rector of Lancang Kuning University.

The governor praised the university for opening a new Education Department.

"Hopefully, the department will turn out a large number of qualified teachers who will help the people of Riau receive a better education," he said.