Jakarta, Feb. 19 -- Indonesia's Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment said Islamic boarding school students ( santri ) should gain skills relevant to the labor market, including financial literacy and access to financing institutions, to boost employment opportunities.

"Government programs ensure every activity includes community empowerment. Pesantren (Islamic boarding school), as a key pillar, must start economic empowerment at the grassroots," Deputy for Social Welfare Coordination Nunung Nuryartono said in Jakarta on Thursday.

He spoke at the Empowerment Pesantren: One Day, Real Impact event at Pondok Pesantren Labibah Muawanah in Pandeglang, Banten.

Nunung noted these efforts complement religious education and character ...