Students protest teachers' insult

MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: At least 80 students of a high school in Praya, Central Lombok, and their parents staged a demonstration at the provincial education office over the expulsion of a female student that the teachers accused of being a prostitute.

The protesters, wearing traditional costumes, carried placards and banners reading, "Jilted teacher tarnishes student" and "Teachers should teach, not seduce."

Teachers accused Sri Mandalika, 17, of engaging in immoral conduct with her boyfriend, Muhammad Fahmi, in school.

One of the teachers, Yudi Suhadiyanto, reportedly saw the two talking in school, but told the other teachers and students that Sri and all female students in her class were prostitutes.

Principal Suseno expelled Sri for tarnishing the school's reputation.

Sri and her friends accused Yudi of spreading rumors in anger because his close friend, math teacher Ismanto, had written a love note to Sri which was rejected.

The students and the parents demanded that Yudi be dismissed.

Head of the provincial education office Suhardi promised he would take care of the matter, and called on the students to return to school. (swe)