TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno has decided to give vacations to all schools in the capital during the 2018 Asian Games.

Earlier, the chairman of the 2018 Asian Games Organizing Committee [Inasgoc], Erick Tohir, only asked the Jakarta administration to give holidays to schools adjacent to the Asian Games venues and camps for athletes.

“The vacations are moved from December so that they will not hinder the days and time for teaching and learning activities,” Sandiaga said at the City Hall on Friday, April 6, 2018.

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Sandiaga made the decision following talks with Inasgoc chief Erick Tohir. In the meeting, Erick also asked the Jakarta government for vacations to schools in certain areas and re-arrangement of work hours to ease traffic congestion during the games, which would take place from August 18-September 2, 2018. “This decision is for the deputy governor to make,” he said.

In response to Sandiaga’s decision, Jakarta Education Agency chief Sopan Adrianto said he would halt all teaching-learning activities at all schools during the games. “Not just some [schools], but all,” he said.

Sopan added the students would be asked to pack the 2018 Asian Games venues, and some would welcome the Asian Games contingents at airports while donning the country’s traditional clothes.

IRSYAN HASYIM