Education and Culture Minister Muhammad Nuh, when speaking about the alleged sexual assault of a Kindergarten student at Jakarta International School (JIS), said that it was possible for the ministry to impose sanctions against parties considered to have neglected their duties
ducation and Culture Minister Muhammad Nuh, when speaking about the alleged sexual assault of a Kindergarten student at Jakarta International School (JIS), said that it was possible for the ministry to impose sanctions against parties considered to have neglected their duties.
'I'm sad and very much regret about this incident. It is deeply regrettable that such a sad and disgraceful event occurred in an international school,' he said on Wednesday as quoted by Antara news agency.
The minister was speaking after an event to mark World Autism Awareness Day at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta.
Nuh said the Education and Culture Ministry had set up a team to handle the case concerning the Kindergarten student.
'Our team will examine the case in more detail and coordinate with the police. The police will handle the criminal aspects of the case and the ministry, the educational aspects,' he said.
Nuh said any type of negligence would result in punishment.
'It will take one month at the most to formulate the types of failure, carelessness and misconduct involving parties at the school, and there will be sanctions,' said Nuh while highlighting that the school's principal, teachers and foundation bore responsibility.
The minister further said the alleged sexual assault at the international school was a severe blow to education in Indonesia as it gave the impression that educational institutions were not safe because even such an expensive school failed to protect its students.
Therefore, Nuh said, the ministry planned to invite international schools' headmasters and foundations to attend a meeting to prevent similar incidents.
Meanwhile, the Jakarta Police have named two people as suspects. The victim's lawyer, Andi M. Asrun, said more victims might yet come out of the woodwork. (idb/ebf)
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