Ganjar Removes Principal Of SMKN 1 Sale Who Withdraws Infaq To Students

Ganjar Pranowo (Photo via Central Java Provincial Government)

SUKOHARJO - Principal of SMKN 1 Sale, Rembang Regency was released from the duties of the Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo, after being exposed to withdrawals or extortion under the guise of infaq.

"We are relieved of his duties. Then we check and ask for (the money to be withdrawn)," said Ganjar on the sidelines of a visit in Sukoharjo Regency, Tuesday night, July 11.

Ganjar did not expect the findings to appear and became the attention of many people. Even videos about dialogue with students at the Rembang Regency Hall which were uploaded to his social media accounts were accessed by many people.

"I also did not expect that the chat was actually noticed by many people, more than two million had access to my Instagram because of that and he told me what happened everywhere," said Ganjar.

According to Ganjar, the emergence of cases of attraction or extortion under the guise of infaq is a reminder to school principals and teachers anywhere to be careful. Ganjar repeatedly emphasized that he should not withdraw contributions in any form to students or guardians of students. There are even strict rules governing this matter.

"So we entrust it to fellow teachers, school principals, to be really careful about the matter of attractions to students so as not to be burdensome," he explained.

For Ganjar, there are still many creative ways that schools can do without having to ask students for fees. For example, by inviting alumni to play a role in building schools.

"There are some schools that are quite creative, they build by inviting alumni, that's okay but not students, sorry for the students," he said.

Ganjar added that the firm action against the Head of SMKN 1 Sale was a step so that in the future similar incidents would not be repeated in other schools. Ganjar also admitted that the role of the community was very helpful, if the community found something similar to report it immediately.

"That's why we take firm action, so we immediately withdraw it first, we move first. Then this is to pay attention to everyone not to play games. Complaints always come, so these kinds of models, we need community assistance. Laporgub is enough for me to be able to report," he said.

Head of the Central Java Province Education and Culture Office, Uswatun Hasanah, added that checking and investigations were carried out immediately after the case surfaced. The examination of the Head of SMKN 1 Sale was carried out and the person concerned admitted that there were levies for building prayer rooms or places of worship through the school committee.

The levy or infaqence for the construction of the prayer room was carried out in 2022. Of the total 534 students, 460 of them have paid. Then 44 students did not pay because they were classified as underprivileged. Furthermore, 30 students did not pay with the consideration that it was the fourth year.

"Until now, the funds collected are Rp130 million and have been used in 2022 for the construction of the prayer room. The construction of the prayer room has now reached 40 percent," said Uswatun.

Regarding the student who reported the alleged levy when asked by Governor Ganjar Pranowo, Uswatun emphasized that he had received special assistance.

"Regarding the students who were questioned by the governor, at that time we immediately asked for assistance so that bullying would not occur. And it must be guaranteed that the student is comfortable and can carry out activities as usual according to his capacity as a student, without intervention from any party," he said.

The head of SMKN 1 Sale is currently being withdrawn to the Central Java Regional III Education and Culture Office Branch. In exchange for carrying out school principal duties, the Education and Culture Office has also appointed a daily executor (Plh).