`We mingle, despite different beliefs'

The House of Representatives endorsed the controversial education bill on Thursday, regardless of strong public objection to it, as it regulates the teaching of religion. The Jakarta Post asked some school students their opinions on the bill and the actual situation at school.

Jessica, 11, is a fifth-grade student at a private elementary school in West Jakarta. She lives in Kembangan, West Jakarta, with her family:

I learned about the controversial education bill from my teacher and from the media. As far as I know, it deals in part with religious teaching at school.

My teacher said that every school should have religion teachers of the same belief as the students, regardless of the school's status.

My friends never bother to take part in the different religious teaching at school. They are happy and are still very smart.

Ajeng, 18, is a final-year student at a private senior high school in Grogol, West Jakarta. She lives in Bekasi with her family:

I think the recent endorsement of the education bill will cause religious disarray among the country's school students.

To be honest, I'm troubled by the bill because there will be no more true friendship with my fellow students, regardless of their religious beliefs.

Most of us at school are as one, as school students usually are. We mingle and make friends, regardless of our different beliefs.

I wonder why the government should "separate" each of us on a religious basis by imposing such a law.

Besides, many students and their parents decided to enroll at schools without any particular religious considerations. Good- quality education, not religion, is the main consideration of most parents.

I moved from a state to a private school because I wanted to go to a better-quality school. I don't feel bothered about my friends from different religions.

Irene, 18, is a final-year student at a private senior high school in Kemanggisan, West Jakarta. She lives in Tanjung Duren, West Jakarta, with her family:

I did not take part in the rallies held to protest the endorsement of the education bill recently.

However, I disagree with the bill. The bill has become controversial because there is an article that sets out the right of every school student to have religious teaching from the same belief.

I'm afraid that in future the bill will break the nation apart, simply because of different religious beliefs.

-- Leo Wahyudi S