Sentani – As many as 296 soldiers based in Papua have received teaching certificates, allowing them to teach in remote areas.

"The soldiers will undergo training in teaching for more than a month in order to make them ready to teach," said Commander (Pangdam) of Millitary Area XVII of Cenderawasih, Maj. Gen. Christian Zebua in Sentani on Saturday (2/15).

Soldiers will also be enlisted to work the areas of health, agriculture, plantation, fishery and religion, he said. Certificates are given to hundreds of these soldiers after a three-week training at the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education at Cenderawasih University (FKIP Uncen).

The Head of Education Quality of Dikpora Papua province, Marhen Puisi said the soldiers will greatly help the learning process, especially in remote areas.

"Papua Province will be greatly helped by them. Hopefully with the help of the soldiers, Papua's Human Development Index can rise," he told reporters after handing teaching certificates to hundreds of soldiers in Sentani, on Saturday (2/15).

He said teacher shortages occur in nearly 29 regencies and cities in Papua. "Usually teachers remote areas fail to show up for work because of limited transportation and lack of support facilities such as teacher housing," he said. (Jubi/Aprila/Tina)