Education Ministry Denies Banning Valentine`s Day
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Kamis, 1 Januari 1970 07:00 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Education and Culture Ministry said that it had not issued a circular letter banning the celebration of the Valentine’s Day that falls on February 14.
“We have never issued a circular letter to ban something not related to education,” Hamid Muhammad, director general of primary and secondary educations at the Education and Culture Ministry, told Tempo on Saturday, February 6, 2016.
Hamid clarified that he was not aware of a circular letter issued by the Makassar Education and Culture Agency to ban the celebration of the Valentine’s Day.
“Please confirm it with the city administration or the agency in Makassar,” he added.
Earlier, copies of circular letter issued by the Makassar Education and Culture Agency were disseminated calling on students not to celebrate the Valentine’s Day. Makassar Education and Culture Agency head Alimuddin Tarawe said admitted that the circular letter had no legal basis.
“We just want to protect our children from promiscuity, drugs and free sex behaviors,” Alimuddin explained.
The circular letter, forwarded to several top officials in Makassar, including the mayor and the regional secretary, called on students not to celebrate the Valentine’s Day, and on parents to watch their children.
FRISKI RIANA
