Jakarta, Sept. 12 -- The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs is leveraging houses of worship to help meet the need for religious education, particularly for children who lack access to religious teachers.

Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar said the approach is part of the ministry's efforts to ensure that every child has access to religious education while strengthening the role of houses of worship in their communities.

"Children must not be left without religious education. That is why we are partnering with houses of worship," he said in his address at the National Dialogue of Christian Synod Leaders in Jakarta on Friday.

The minister cited Muslim children in Papua and eastern Indonesia who lack access to religious educ...