Most schools to remain open during Ramadhan

Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Most high schools in the city have decided not to send students on long vacations during Ramadhan and opted instead to provide its pupils with various religious teachings.

Muslim schools will close for the first few days of Ramadhan (the fasting month) but afterwards Islamic lectures have been scheduled, with some schools inviting well-known Muslim speakers.

Some Christian state schools have arranged for a retreat trip out of town or in the school compound, while Buddhist and Hindu pupils are encouraged to enroll in religious activities according to their beliefs.

In 1999, the Ministry of National Education regulated that all public schools close during Ramadhan to allow students to further their religious studies at home.

Non-Muslim private schools were allowed to make their own Ramadhan vacation arrangements with conditions that Muslim students were allowed to take time-off.

Last month, the Ministry gave schools, both public and private, more autonomy to determine their own holiday arrangements during the religious fasting month.

This year, the Al-Azhar private Muslim high school in Kemang, South Jakarta decided that the school would only be closed for the first few days at the beginning of Ramadhan, and for a few weeks afterwards. During the scheduled school days, student activities will emphasize religious teachings aside from the regular class activities.

"This is in accordance with most of the parents suggestions. They worry that their children will be left behind in their studies if the school is closed for the whole month," said Arifin Syamsul, an Al-Azhar staff member.

Parents of the students at Public High School 3 at Setiabudi, South Jakarta cited similar concerns. The school will only be closed for the first few days of Ramadhan and will resume classes for the next 2 weeks.

Afterwards, the Muslim students are off to a religious school at Ciloto, West Java, while the Christians will attend retreat camp in Lembang for a week. They will resume school activities for several days before having holidays for up to two weeks.

Meanwhile, students at St. Theresia private Catholic school will only be off for the first two days of Ramadhan, and later the school will be closed for about two weeks over Lebaran, Christmas and the New Year.

"It was decided after being discussed with parents and student representatives. The students realize they wont be able to complete the curriculum of the second trimester effectively if our school is closed for too long," said Purwanto, a school staff member.