Teacher Reprimanded For Not Wearing Hijab, SMPN 46 South Jakarta Students Are Depressed To The Point Of Not Attending School

The school gate of SMPN 46 South Jakarta/ Photo: Jehan/ VOI

JAKARTA – One of the students at SMP Negeri 46 South Jakarta experienced psychological pressure after receiving a warning from her teacher for wearing a headscarf. The student with the initials R was reported to have missed school because she felt uncomfortable.

Dania Nasution (24), from R's family, explained that the reprimand that his teacher gave to R happened in front of his friends. So that makes R cornered.

"There have been two teachers who reprimanded me about the veil, warnings like "R, you're a Muslim wearing a headscarf, right." Another teacher even reprimanded him in front of the class, so R's friends saw and heard the reprimand given to my sister," said Dania.

Dania said that the teacher's reprimand in front of his friends made R feel uncomfortable going to school.

"The reprimands from these teachers made my sister depressed and uncomfortable for school," he continued.

On that occasion, Dania assessed that the reprimand that the teacher at SMPN 46 Jakarta meant was for the good of his sister. According to him, the way the teacher delivered in front of his friends was considered inappropriate. So that the 13-year-old student actually felt pressured and embarrassed towards her friends.

"I know the teacher's intentions are good, reminding him as a Muslim. (But) my younger brother is indeed not ready to wear a headscarf from his heart, so the situation has become like now," he said.

"Even though in the end my sister will wear a headscarf or not, it's just that I'm concerned (focus-ed) on the comfort of my sister, I feel sorry for the children who intend to go to school and don't feel comfortable," he added.

For this incident, Dania admitted that she had reported the matter to the Education Office. This is done so that the parties concerned can follow up.

"I have also been contacted by the education office as well as schools, and I consider this case finished. However, I hope that the case that happened to my sister will not be repeated to my sister and other children," he concluded.