Aceh students disappointed by delay of new school year
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.