Nadiem Makarim: Schools Banned from Requiring or Banning Religious Attributes

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government issued a joint ministerial decree (SKB) concerning school uniforms for students, educators, and school personnel. The policy was signed by Education and Culture Minister Nadiem Makarim, Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian, and Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas on Wednesday, February 3.

Nadiem said the joint decree specifically regulated state schools under the authority of the regional governments.

"Students, educators, and school staff are the ones who have the right to choose uniforms and attributes with or without religious symbols," he said in an online press conference today.

Thus, the minister concluded that the government and schools must not oblige or prohibit uniforms and attributes with religious symbols.

"The regional government and school principals are also obliged to revoke regulations that require or prohibit uniforms and attributes with religious symbols within 30 working days since the joint decree is enacted," he added.

Schools violating the decree would be subject to sanctions, he informed. The local governments could impose sanctions related to the distribution of school operational aid (BOS) and other government assistance.

However, Nadiem Makarim confirmed that state schools in Aceh Province were exempted from the joint ministerial decree given its existing laws and regulations on the matter.

Read: COVID-19 Red Zone; Schools in Bogor Asked to Apply Emergency Curriculum

DEWI NURITA