Ombudsman Asks Central Sulawesi Education Office To Change Principal Of SMK 2 Palu After The Case Of The Head Of Osis Fired

Head of the Central Sulawesi Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights Rakhmat Renaldy (right) and Head of the Indonesian Ombudsman Representative of Central Sulawesi Iqbal Andi Magga (ANTARA/HO-Kanwil of the Central Sulawesi Ministry of Law and Human Rights)

PALU - The Ombudsman public service supervisory agency advises the Central Sulawesi Education Office (Sulteng) to make changes to the Head of Vocational High School (SMK) 2 Palu.

"We suggest being able to replace the Head of SMK 2 Palu, with other officials who are more disciplined," said Head of the Central Sulawesi Ombudsman Representative M Iqbal Andi Magga in Palu, Antara, Tuesday, January 28.

Iqbal made this statement when asked for a response regarding the alleged illegal levy (Pungli) case, which made a student named Alya, fired from the position of chairman of the OSIS. The dismissal was the result of Alya's protests regarding additional courses during school lessons.

He explained that the Ombudsman's entry in the case was initiated by his own initiative, so it was not a public report.

In addition, based on the investigation by the Ombudsman, several cases of alleged maladimistration at SMK 2 Palu have occurred in recent times.

"Because this case is busy again, we have reminded Dikjar Central Sulawesi again," he said.

In May 2024, hundreds of students from SMK 2 Palu also held demonstrations, for the high cost of field work practices (PKL) being charged to students/students. The action was carried out in front of the Central Sulawesi Provincial DPRD Building (Sulteng), Palu City.

Hundreds of students carry various posters that read various criticisms and interesting things, aimed at the Principal of SMKN 2 Palu, including "My Principal is the same as my ex, both painful", "changed the Principal".

Previously, Professor from Tadulako University (Untad) Palu Juraid Abdul Latief also responded to allegations of illegal levies (Pungli) that occurred at SMK 2 Palu.

"If that is proven, the principal can be dismissed from his position. Therefore, he is included in the violation of Maladministration," he said in Palu, Monday (27/1).

He emphasized that levies in any form are absolutely not allowed for all levels of the education unit level. Moreover, currently all education budgets have been borne through the APBD and APBN.

"The principal is under the responsibility of the Provincial Education Office, the head of the service can give a warning and sanction if that is proven," he explained.

The member of the Board of Trustees of the Indonesian Teachers' Association (PGRI) of Central Sulawesi emphasized that there are still extortion in schools, because teachers or school principals still want to earn more, through improper roads.