REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has called on Muslim mass organization Mathla'ul Anwar to open vocational schools in provinces across the country.

Indonesia has plenty of universities and needs more vocational schools and polytechnics, Jokowi was quoted as saying by Aat Surya Safaat, the spokesman of Mathla'ul Anwar, after the president received a delegation of the organization here, Monday.

Safaat said Mathla'ul Anwar has put forth eight recommendations to the head of state during the meeting.

"There are eight points that we have conveyed, and one of them is on education," he added.

The president has urged Mathla'ul Anwar, one of Indonesia's largest Muslim organizations, to open more vocational schools, he noted.

The Banten-based organization has several schools, with thousands of students throughout Indonesia, particularly in areas where access to education is still poor.

The organization has suggested that the Jokowi government offer scholarships to Islamic school graduates to help them advance to higher educational institutions to pursue an undergraduate degree.

Established on July 10, 1916, Mathla'ul Anwar has reaffirmed its commitment to contributing to the nation by advancing education, preaching, and social activities for improving the quality of life of Muslims, in particular, and all Indonesians, in general.

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