Most schools to remain open during Ramadhan

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.