`We mingle, despite different beliefs'<\/p>\n
The House of Representatives endorsed the controversial education
\nbill on Thursday, regardless of strong public objection to it, as
\nit regulates the teaching of religion. The Jakarta Post asked
\nsome school students their opinions on the bill and the actual
\nsituation at school.<\/p>\n
Jessica, 11, is a fifth-grade student at a private elementary
\nschool in West Jakarta. She lives in Kembangan, West Jakarta,
\nwith her family:<\/p>\n
I learned about the controversial education bill from my
\nteacher and from the media. As far as I know, it deals in part
\nwith religious teaching at school.<\/p>\n
My teacher said that every school should have religion
\nteachers of the same belief as the students, regardless of the
\nschool's status.<\/p>\n
My friends never bother to take part in the different
\nreligious teaching at school. They are happy and are still very
\nsmart.<\/p>\n
Ajeng, 18, is a final-year student at a private senior high
\nschool in Grogol, West Jakarta. She lives in Bekasi with her
\nfamily:<\/p>\n
I think the recent endorsement of the education bill will
\ncause religious disarray among the country's school students.<\/p>\n
To be honest, I'm troubled by the bill because there will be
\nno more true friendship with my fellow students, regardless of
\ntheir religious beliefs.<\/p>\n
Most of us at school are as one, as school students usually
\nare. We mingle and make friends, regardless of our different
\nbeliefs.<\/p>\n
I wonder why the government should \"separate\" each of us on a
\nreligious basis by imposing such a law.<\/p>\n
Besides, many students and their parents decided to enroll at
\nschools without any particular religious considerations. Good-
\nquality education, not religion, is the main consideration of
\nmost parents.<\/p>\n
I moved from a state to a private school because I wanted to
\ngo to a better-quality school. I don't feel bothered about my
\nfriends from different religions.<\/p>\n
Irene, 18, is a final-year student at a private senior high
\nschool in Kemanggisan, West Jakarta. She lives in Tanjung Duren,
\nWest Jakarta, with her family:<\/p>\n
I did not take part in the rallies held to protest the
\nendorsement of the education bill recently.<\/p>\n
However, I disagree with the bill. The bill has become
\ncontroversial because there is an article that sets out the right
\nof every school student to have religious teaching from the same
\nbelief.<\/p>\n
I'm afraid that in future the bill will break the nation
\napart, simply because of different religious beliefs.<\/p>\n
-- Leo Wahyudi S<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/we-mingle-despite-different-beliefs-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }