Jakarta, June 30 -- The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education on Monday launched two educational programs designed to empower vocational high school dropouts by teaching them vocational and entrepreneurial skills.

"These programs are essential, considering the high prevalence of dropouts at the senior high school level. Note that 20 percent of high schoolers fail to finish their studies due to several reasons," Primary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu'ti said in Jakarta.

The main reasons are economic hardship, early marriage, lack of supporting facilities and infrastructure, and low awareness about the value of education in some communities, he informed at the launch of the Vocational Skills Education (PKK) and Entreprene...