Education bill continues to divide Indonesians<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The controversial education bill continues to divide people,
\ncausing fear of sectarian conflict if legislators press ahead
\nwith plans to endorse the bill on May 20.<\/p>\n
Thousands of demonstrators opposed to the bill scuffled with
\npolice in Ende, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on Sunday when they
\nattempted to force their way into the town's airport, hours
\nbefore House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung was due to
\narrive.<\/p>\n
The protesters, including elementary school students and
\nmembers of the Indonesian Catholic Students Association and the
\nNational Students League for Democracy, demanded that the bill be
\nscrapped because it "discriminated against minority groups".<\/p>\n
They also carried posters saying that Flores, a Catholic-
\nmajority island in NTT, would declare independence if the
\ngovernment enacted the bill.<\/p>\n
The protesters dispersed peacefully after meeting with Akbar,
\nwho also chairs the Golkar Party, the second largest faction in
\nthe House.<\/p>\n
Akbar arrived in Ende, a traditional Golkar stronghold, for a
\ntwo-day visit, which will include a meeting with victims of last
\nmonth's landslides.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, dozens of women from the Islamic Women's Center
\ncalled on the House to endorse the education bill, saying
\njustice, pluralism and human rights would be strengthened with
\nits enactment.<\/p>\n
Djuairiah Latuconsina of the center said religion played a
\nvital role in the development of children, thus it should be
\ntaught to students by teachers of the same religion.<\/p>\n
"Otherwise, there will be deviations in religious teachings,"
\nshe said.<\/p>\n
The conflict stems from an article in the bill requiring all
\nschools, regardless of religious affiliation, to provide
\nreligious instruction to all students. Religious lessons, the
\nbill states, must be taught by teachers of the same religion as
\nstudents.<\/p>\n
If enacted, the bill would affect Catholic and Protestant
\nschools more than Muslim schools, with more Muslims studying in
\nChristian schools than Christians in Muslim schools.<\/p>\n
Christian schools generally require all students, regardless
\nof their religion, to attend Christian lessons. Likewise, Muslim
\nschools teach only Islam and require all students, including
\nChristians, to attend Islamic classes.<\/p>\n
Some experts have expressed concern that the bill, if enacted,
\nwould divide Indonesians and could trigger religious violence.<\/p>\n
Sectarian conflicts in Maluku and Central Java have left over
\n10,000 people dead since January 1999.<\/p>\n
Some people in provinces like NTT, North Sulawesi, Maluku and
\nPapua with large Christian populations have threatened to seek
\nindependence if the House presses ahead with its plan to endorse
\nthe bill on May 20 to coincide with National Awakening Day.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/education-bill-continues-to-divide-indonesians-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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