GAM makes people ignorant

GAM makes people ignorant

From Koran Tempo

Around 1,000 school buildings in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam have been destroyed by the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM), forcing over 50,000 students to continue their lessons in temporary classrooms, even outdoors. Dozens of teachers have also been threatened by GAM to stop classes.

Before the military operation was launched against the separatists in Aceh, more than 100 schools had already been burned down by GAM. One of the arsonists seized in Mee Pangwee village, Trieung Gading district, Pidie regency, admitted that the arson was carried out as ordered by the local GAM commander, with a compensation of Rp 200,000 per school.

The arson, he said, was meant to destroy the future of the Acehnese, because without education, they would be left ignorant and easier for GAM to control and exploit the resource-rich province.

GAM's aim to make the people uneducated and ignorant certainly goes against the wishes of the Acehnese, who want their children to be educated and so lead a better life.

GAM's actions must not be tolerated and the local people must join hands to eliminate the separatist group.

ABDUL HAMID Yogyakarta