Destroying school buildings unacceptable

Destroying school buildings unacceptable

Since the military offensive was launched on Monday, at least
183 schools have reportedly been torched and destroyed in the
restive province of Aceh.

We were informed that it was the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) that
was behind the destruction, but GAM apparently believes that the
schools had been incinerated by the government to spread its
propaganda to the students.

The tragedy has forced students, including those who were
scheduled to take their final examinations, to give up their
education for the time being.

Many of the students burst into tears upon seeing their ruined
school in flames. Gone was the place where they prepared for
their futures and developed their social skills.

The reconstruction of the schools will take anywhere from six
months to a year, during which time the students' educational
careers would be interrupted.

We don't have any idea as to why schools were targeted, but we
do believe that not a single citizen in the country wants the
younger generation to lose the opportunity to build their
futures.

The destruction of the schools is obviously not to be
tolerated, so we demand that the security authorities protect
other schools from possible attacks.

The integrated (military) operation, including the
humanitarian aid and law enforcement operations, must go ahead.

We do hope that the violence will end soon, and that security
and peace in Aceh can be established.

It is impossible to develop the future without security and
peace.

-- Kompas, Jakarta