Indramayu Education Agency Clarifies Viral Story of Student Allegedly Expelled for Illiteracy

The Indramayu District Education and Culture Office has clarified a viral social media report alleging that a student at a state junior high school in Indramayu Regency, West Java, was expelled for being unable to read. Head of the Indramayu Education and Culture Office, Caridin, stated that the narrative claiming the student was expelled by the school was incorrect. He confirmed that the student’s departure from the school was purely the initiative and request of the parents. “The incident also happened a long time ago, in June 2025. And we emphasise that the child was not expelled, but transferred at the parents’ request,” Caridin explained on Friday (17/7/2026). Caridin explained that the student, identified by the initial N, was found to be not yet fluent in reading during a school literacy guidance activity. At that time, N, who was in Year 7, was asked to read. It turned out the student was not yet a fluent reader. Upon learning this, the school communicated with the parents. Following this communication, the parents decided to transfer their child to a private school in Indramayu Regency. The parents’ decision was even reinforced by a written statement. Caridin presented evidence of the statement, which was handwritten and signed by the student’s parent on a stamp duty on 26 June 2025. Caridin stated that his office will check directly with the private school where the student is now enrolled to monitor the child’s development. “We will try to see the progress of the student concerned,” he said.