JAKARTA - Lecturer at the University of Indonesia (UI) and political observer Ade Armando shared various views after the Joint Decree (SKB) of the Three Ministers on the Use of School Uniforms was issued.
According to him, there will be cynics who will attack the Joko Widodo (Jokowi) government as if they hate Islam.
"Of course the cynics will accuse the government of overreacting by taking this step. Should the issue of the headscarf be issued by a joint decree? Is there nothing else that is more important? Does the Jokowi government hate Islam so much that there must be a 3 ministerial joint decree on the headscarf issue?", Ade explained on the CokroTV YouTube channel, quoted by VOI, Thursday, 4 February.
In the joint decree, continued Ade, it did not specify the use of the headscarf. However, the case that occurred at SMKN 2 Padang, West Sumatra where non-Muslim students were required to wear a headscarf became a reflection in this decree.
According to him, critics continued to emerge with the presence of this decree but it had no significant impact on the current government. Jokowi-Ma'ruf Amin has played a war game against intolerance that has the potential to grow in the world of education.
"Religious radicalism is not a trivial matter and radicalism can grow when someone is educated from elementary and secondary schools. All kinds of radicalism and discrimination must be removed from their view. Students in Indonesia must grow up in a cultural atmosphere that respects differences", explained Ade.
It is not only the prohibition of headscarves for non-Muslim students in public schools. The joint decree also firmly rejects the practice of banning the veil in areas where Muslims are minorities.
"The three ministerial decree is the first step for jihad against radicalism in religion. Indonesia needs other firmness from the government to prevent the growth of oppression of religions and beliefs in Indonesia", said Ade.
The joint decree on the Use of Uniforms and Attributes for Students, Educators and Education Personnel in School Environments Organized by Local Governments at the Primary and Secondary Education Levels was signed by three ministers, namely the Minister of Education and Culture Nadiem Makarim, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, and Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas virtually, in Jakarta, Wednesday, February 3.
Nadiem said the considerations for the issuance of the joint decree included that schools functioned to build the insights, attitudes, and character of students, educators and education personnel to maintain national unity and integrity.
The joint decree also mentions the obligation for local governments and school principals to revoke regulations that require or prohibit uniforms and attributes with religious specificities, no later than 30 working days since the decree is enacted.
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