Aceh students disappointed by delay of new school year

Agencies, Jakarta

Thousands of students in war-torn Aceh arrived at school on Monday only to learn one thing -- that the new academic year had been moved back a week.

An elementary school principal in Lhokseumawe, Nursinah Daud, said the provincial administration had belatedly announced it was extending school holidays to July 20.

She said many parents had asked her to explain as the school had believed the academic year would begin in accordance with the national education calendar.

There was no official statement explaining the delay, but Nursinah dismissed speculation that security concerns had prompted the postponement.

Some students had expressed enthusiasm about returning to school.

"There is no reason to worry about a possible security threat anymore because many police and military personnel are protecting us," Nur Hasanah, a student from state junior high school SMPN 5 in Lhokseumawe, was quoted by Antara as saying.

More than 500 schools have been burned down since the military offensive against the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) began on May 19. The military blamed the arson attacks on the separatists, who have been fighting for independence since 1976.

The attacks forced 40,000 students across the province to study in tents, mosques or government offices. Some of them have had to share school buildings and take turns using classes.

In Bireuen regency, elementary school graduates registered themselves with junior high schools in secure areas for the sake of security.

Junior high school SMPN 3 Jeumpa deputy principal Jasmi said his school would have to admit 350 students, although it only had 240 seats available for the new academic year.

"We don't know how to cope with the excessive demand, particularly because two of our classrooms have not been reconstructed after a recent arson attack. Parents of the students insisted that their children have to go to this school for security reasons."

Military officers on Monday began running civil affairs in the parts of the province where rebels maintain a strong presence. The military said the move was necessary because GAM had intimidated 13 civilian subdistrict chiefs.

Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh officially appointed six captains, one second lieutenant and six first lieutenants from the army, the navy and air force to assume control.

The officers had undergone one week of intensive administrative training.

Suwarya told reporters that civilians would take over the posts once the military emergency was over.

Military spokesman Lt. Col. Yani Basuki said: "The subdistrict heads who are being replaced are those who fear GAM, and in the face of threats from GAM these civilian subdistrict heads were powerless."

He said the 13 officers would in future report to the provincial and district administrations rather than the military.

Apart from the operation to crush guerrillas, the government also aims to restore the government's authority over all the province -- parts of which were effectively controlled by GAM in the past.

At least 18 people, including three civilians, were killed in the province over the weekend and Monday, the military and local paramedics said.

Meanwhile, prosecutors urged military tribunals on Monday to jail for up to three years and six months two soldiers accused of raping women in Aceh.

The maximum penalty for rape is 12 years in prison and the seemingly light sentence requests are likely to upset many in Aceh, including rights activists who accuse the military of extra-judicial killings, rape and other atrocities.

Prosecutors urged a court to jail First Pvt. Husni Dwila for three years and six months for allegedly raping three women in Paya Bakuneng village in northern Aceh between June 20 and 22.

Prosecutors also urged a separate court to imprison 1st Pvt. Awaludin for three years for allegedly raping a woman in the same village on June 22.

Judges adjourned the hearings until Wednesday to hear defense pleas.