Education Ministry to Warn State School That Make Hijab Mandatory

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Daryanto, Inspector General of Education and Culture Ministry, said that his office will warn state schools that make hijab mandatory.

Daryanto said that forcing Muslim female students to wear hijab is unnecessary, let alone applying the rule to non-Muslims. He said that state schools comprise of students with different ethnicities and religions. “The principle is to highly respect diversity,” he said.

Several junior high school students in Yogyakarta earlier applied mandatory hijab rule for Muslim students.

Read: Banyuwangi Regent Apologies over Compulsory Hijab at School

Yogyakarta Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) Commission D deputy speaker Antonius Fokki Ardiyanto has called on Yogyakarta Education Office to address state schools who require female students to wear hijab. “I want the rule to be revised,” he said.

SMPN 11 junior high school headmaster Sukirno said that the announcement on school dress code was not binding. “Muslims are free to do as they wish. If they don’t wear hijab, it’s allowed. There will be no sanctions,” Sukirno told Tempo at his office on Monday.

Sugiharjo, SMPN 7 junior high school headmaster, has denied that the school has forced female students to wear hijab. He said that they may wear non-hijab uniforms as long as they maintain a modest look. “I only expect people to follow their religion,” Sugiharjo said.

MITRA TARIGAN