House told to delay education bill

House told to delay education bill

JAKARTA: Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) chairman
Nathan Setiabudi repeated his demand on Friday that lawmakers
delay the endorsement of the controversial national education
bill.

During a discussion on the bill on Friday, Nathan urged
religious leaders to sit down together and settle the problem.

Article 13 (1) of the bill obliges schools, including private
schools, to provide religious instruction according to the faith
of each student.

Nathan said the stipulation would affect the character of
private schools run by religious foundations.

The House of Representatives' education commission chairman
Taufiqurrahman said that the discussion of pros and cons in the
current era of democracy was normal.

Taufiq, a politician from the National Awakening Party (PKB),
added that all factions had expressed their agreement with the
bill and that it was expected to be endorsed in May. -- JP