DIY Local Government Facilitates Reconciliation Of Alleged Cases Of Forced Hijab For Students

Head of the DIY Education, Youth and Sports Agency (Disdikpora) Didik Wardaya (ANTARA/Luqman Hakim)

YOGYAKARTA - The Yogyakarta Special Region Government will facilitate reconciliation between SMAN 1 Banguntapan, Bantul Regency and the students' parents regarding the alleged case of being forced to wear the hijab.

"Reconciliation is an awareness from each of them that if what was done was wrong, maybe they would forgive each other. I think it is more important, it is better immediately so that the community can also feel 'at ease'," said the Head of the Education, Youth and Sports Office (Disdikpora). ) DIY Didik Wardaya at the DIY DPRD building, Yogyakarta, reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, August 9.

According to Didik, the reconciliation forum facilitated by Disdikpora and the Office of Women's Empowerment, Child Protection, and Population Control (DP3AP2) DIY will bring together the principal and three unscrupulous teachers of SMAN 1 Banguntapan with parents of students.

"Hopefully with the students as well if it is possible. Tomorrow or as soon as possible, hopefully this week we will do it," he said.

Didik hopes that the reconciliation of the two parties can make the situation more conducive as well as bring about improvements to the school system.

"All parties can realize that this is a kind of disciplinary error or an understanding of the rules. For us, it is fostering schools to improve the existing system," he said.

However, Didik emphasized that the cross-agency investigation process related to the violation of Permendikbud No. 45 of 2014 on the alleged case of being forced to wear the hijab for students was still ongoing and was not affected by reconciliation.

Before determining the sanctions, the DIY Regional Government will still cross-check information from the school principal, three unscrupulous teachers, and a psychologist who accompanies the students.

"I can't say (the wearing of the hijab) is forced or voluntary, we are still investigating it," he said.

However, Didik admitted that he found a rule at the school that advised Muslim students to wear Muslim uniforms or clothes.

"Incidentally, the school regulations state that there are Muslim women who are advised to wear Muslim clothes. So it may be necessary to organize the system at school," he said.

According to Didik, the temporary deactivation of the principal and three individual teachers of SMAN 1 Banguntapan who are suspected of being involved is not part of the sanctions, but rather so that the investigation of the case can take place without disturbing the teaching and learning process.

If they are found guilty, he said, the sanctions that will be imposed will refer to Government Regulation No. 94 of 2021 concerning Discipline of Civil Servants or Permendikbud No. 82 of 2015 concerning Prevention and Overcoming of Violence in Education Units.

"Whether it's an oral warning, a written warning, a reduction in rights, it exists. But it depends on the results of the deepening. Hopefully this week it will be finished," said Didik Wardaya.