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Yogyakarta state schools roasted for obliging students to wear hijab
Well-meaning teachers who have become more religious have commanded a policy deemed intolerant.
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Santri (Islamic boarding school students) dressed in costumes participate in a parade for the Santri Carnival along Jl. Malioboro in the busiest shopping area of Yogyakarta on Oct. 22, 2018. (The Jakarta Post/Tarko Sudiarno)
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state elementary school principal in Yogyakarta’s Gunung Kidul regency has canceled an order to oblige first-year students to wear Muslim attire after public protest and a reprimand from the local administration.
In the latest case of resistance against Islamic conservatism in educational institutions, the principal of SD 3 state elementary school in Karangtengah, Puji Astuti, bowed to pressure to annul the regulation, which was initially to be implemented in July.
“The first circular to inform [parents about] the regulation, and its revision, were [annulled] on Wednesday,” Gunung Kidul Education Agency secretary Sudya Marsita said on Thursday. “Maybe [Puji Astuti] really wanted to develop good character in the students, but she went out of control,” Sudya added.
The central government has never obliged students to wear Muslim attire at state schools, but some schools have issued their own regulations requiring students to adhere to Islamic teachings.
The first circular to parents was issued in June and triggering protest after being leaked to social media, including from the local education agency. The letter included pictures of male and female students modelling the dress code the school expected students to adhere to: short-sleeved shirt and pants for male students and long-sleeved shirt, long skirt and hijab for female students.
After drawing criticism, Puji revised the letter and changed the word “obliged” to “recommended.” Despite its softer tone, the revision was attacked by the Yogyakarta chapter of the Indonesian Ombudsman.
“In a paternalistic culture the word ‘recommended’ psychologically still sends out the message of obligating students to do it,” said Yogyakarta chapter head Budhi Masturi.
