Ministry regrets call to raze school

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)