`We mingle, despite different beliefs'

`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