British 10-hour school program to expand

LONDON, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Britain's Education Secretary Charles Clarke was expected Sunday to expand a plan that allows schools to stay open for a 10-hour day.

The plan's aim is to provide a schedule that fits with working parents, the Times of London reported Sunday.

Funding has already been given to some 250 schools to stay open from 8am to 6pm. Money for an additional 1,000 schools to join the program could be announced by Clarke as soon as Wednesday, the Times said.

Currently, two-thirds of Britain's schools offer programs outside of the normal school day.