Kampar in the spotlight<\/p>\n
Kampar district in Indonesia's Riau province has been under
\nthe spotlight since last Tuesday's outbreak of massive protests
\nby local teachers and students.<\/p>\n
The teachers and students were calling for the resignation of
\nregent Jefri Noer, whom they accused of insulting the teaching
\nprofession.<\/p>\n
On Feb. 5, Jefri arrogantly ordered high school principal,
\nAbdul Latif Hasyim, to leave a meeting after the latter
\nquestioned the region's? low education budget.<\/p>\n
Since then, some 7,000 teachers and about 10,000 students have
\ntaken to the streets to protest Jefri's arbitrary act.<\/p>\n
The situation got out of hand after the Kampar district head
\nthreatened to replace the demonstrating teachers with new ones
\nfrom other regions.<\/p>\n
However, the teachers have continued their strike without
\ntaking heed of the threat, even gaining the support of their
\ncolleagues from the Indonesian Teachers Union (PGRI) in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
According to PGRI, the teachers' rally in Kampar is not
\npolitically motivated but purely a protest at the insult of the
\nKampar regent toward the teaching profession.<\/p>\n
The issue prompted the local legislative assembly to form a
\nspecial team to deal with the insult. On Wednesday, the team
\nordered Jefri to leave his post as regent.<\/p>\n
As Jefri expelled Latif from the meeting, other \"Latifs\" from
\nother areas will emerge to topple the injustice that is plaguing
\nthe country, for we are fed up at the government's hypocrisy.<\/p>\n
-- Republika, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kampar-in-the-spotlight-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }