Ministry regrets call to raze school

BOGOR (JP): The head of the local office of the Ministry of Education and Culture regretted on Thursday the issuance of a decree by the Bogor mayoralty office for the demolition of newly completed Al-Azhar school, which has begun enrollment.

Akos KM said the decree dated July 6 this year was issued because the school failed to obtain necessary building permits.

"If the school stops operating, it would be a hindrance to the government program. We will be sorry if the school canot accept new students ... all because of a site plan and a building permit," Akos said.

He added that his office planned to send a letter expressing its concern to the Bogor mayoralty.

"The Ministry of Education and Culture feels responsible for the success of the school," said Akos.

He added that 500 students were enrolled in the Islamic school which stands on a 8,000 square-meter-plot on Jl. Sindang Barang in West Bogor.

The two-story building is home to a junior high school, senior high school, economics high school and a technical high school.

Even without the legal building permits, the school received an operational permit from the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Akos said the school was considered the best educational institution in Bogor because it fulfilled almost all the educational requirements.

Meanwhile, Is Anwar, head of the Mandala foundation which runs the school, denied statements made by mayoralty official Dodi Rosady that warning letters were sent to the school since last September.

"If it (the administration) has the letter as proof, show it," Is said.

Earlier, Dodi, head of the Bogor building agency, also said that warning letters on obtaining the building permits for the school were sent since September.

Is questioned the issuance of the decree, wondering why the matter only became prominent after the building was completed.

Is said that before construction of the building started, he received the location permit from the Bogor administration. He denied receiving any warning letter during the construction. (24/ylt)