Junior high school let down by Egyptian minister
Junior high school let down by Egyptian minister
JAKARTA (JP): About 400 junior high school students in
national dress or uniform were disappointed yesterday after their
guest of honor, Egyptian Minister of Education Hussein Kamel
Bahaa Eldin, failed to show up.
Students of South Jakarta's SMPN 13 had broken their long
vacation to greet the Egyptian minister, only to learn much later
that he would not arrive.
No one at the Egyptian embassy was available to comment on the
incident but a staffer, requesting anonymity, said that such a
program was normally prepared by the minister's Indonesian hosts
and that it was their duty to inform those concerned of any
changes.
The minister is in town for the Qualification Asia 1997
symposium on vocational education.
The Head of the Ministry of Education and Culture's Jakarta
office, Sri Surono Sumarto, who was to have escorted the guest of
honor, informed the students and their teachers that he too only
learned of the change of plan yesterday morning.
"I hope you're not too disappointed. We truly appreciate all
your efforts," Sumarto said.
A brief cultural performance by students intended for the
minister was played before Sumarto.
The students turned up as ordered at 8.30 a.m., but were only
told of the cancellation just before 11 a.m.
According to the program sent by the Ministry of Education and
Culture, Minister Husein should have visited the school to
observe Indonesian curriculum.
On June 20, before the vacation, the school asked first and
second grade students to attend the school yesterday.
Some were asked to come in national dress and take part in
cultural performances.
"I spent Rp 50,000 on her dress and another Rp. 20,000 on
makeup," said Mrs. Rohamah Karim, whose daughter wore a Bengkulu
traditional outfit.
Students Ena and Dian said they had rehearsed a traditional
North Sumatra dance with eight other friends.
"This is such a waste," a disappointed teacher said.
The school's principal, Tetty Harahap, tried to console
students and staff. "At least we did our best to welcome the
minister," she said. (35)