Ministry of Religious Affairs Suspends New Student Intake at Jepara Islamic Boarding School Following Sexual Violence Case

The Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) has temporarily suspended new student admissions for both male and female students at the Al Anwar Islamic Boarding School in Tahunan District, Jepara Regency, Central Java. This decision follows an alleged case of sexual violence perpetrated by one of the caregivers against a female student at the boarding school.

The Head of the Early Childhood Education and Islamic Boarding Schools Division at the Central Java Kemenag Regional Office, Moch Fatkhuronji, revealed that they are monitoring the suspected sexual violence case against a female student by a caregiver at Al Anwar Islamic Boarding School. He stated that the Directorate General of Islamic Education (Ditjen Pendis) of Kemenag has issued a recommendation letter containing three main points.

“These include the temporary suspension of new student registrations at the concerned Islamic boarding school until all issues are thoroughly resolved. Secondly, the dismissal of the educational staff who is the alleged perpetrator,” Fatkhuronji explained when interviewed by Republika on Wednesday (13/5/2026).

He added that if Al Anwar Islamic Boarding School fails to implement these two measures, Ditjen Pendis Kemenag will deactivate the boarding school. Fatkhuronji noted that so far, Al Anwar Islamic Boarding School has complied with the recommendations from Ditjen Pendis Kemenag.

According to Fatkhuronji, Al Anwar Islamic Boarding School began suspending new student admissions on 12 March 2026. “The deactivation of teaching duties for Imam Abi Jamrah was also signed on 12 March and he has been deactivated,” he said.

He explained that the dismissal of educational staff at the boarding school refers to Article 13 of Minister of Religious Affairs Regulation (PMA) Number 73 of 2022. This article regulates the dismissal of educational personnel who commit sexual violence.