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Government walks back plan on monthlong school break for Ramadan

Instead of a monthlong break as initially proposed, a joint ministerial circular has declared a weeklong school holiday at the beginning of Ramadan, with the caveat that teachers provide their students with an independent learning project for the duration.

News Desk (The Jakarta Post)
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Wed, January 22, 2025

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Government walks back plan on monthlong school break for Ramadan Students attend a Quran recitation on March 29, 2023, at Dayah Darul Quran Aceh Islamic school in Tumbo Baro, Kuta Malaka, Aceh. (Antara/Khalis Surry)

T

he government has decided to cancel a controversial plan to shutter schools for one month during the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan this year and has instead opted to give students a week off.

In a joint circular from the Elementary and Secondary Education Ministry, the Religious Affairs Ministry and the Home Affairs Ministry published on Tuesday, the government has declared an extended holiday for Ramadan over five working days from Feb. 27 to March 5.

Meanwhile, Ramadan is expected to start on March 1 in 2025 based on astronomical calculations, but the official decision will have to wait for the sighting of a hilal (new moon).

The government's latest decision more closely mirrors the typical schedule in recent years, when schools closed for the first three days of the fasting month.

During their break, however, students are still expected to take up “independent learning” as determined by their schools at home, places of worship or community centers.

When schools resume regular activities on March 6, students of all creeds are encouraged to receive extra religious lessons according to their faith. For Muslim students, this could entail learning the Quran or participating in activities similar to those provided at pesantren (Islamic boarding school).

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