Regarding non-Muslim students who are required to wear a veil, the director of SMKN 2 Padang apologizes to everyone

PADANG, KOMPAS.com – SMK Negeri 2 Padang Principal, West Sumatra, Rusmadi apologized for the error in the implementation of the school uniform policy.

An apology was made in front of dozens of journalists during a press conference in Padang on Friday (1/22/2021) evening.

“I apologize for all errors in the field of student affairs and advisory (BK) in the implementation of the uniform policy in schools,” said Rusmadi.

Also read: Students of the state vocational school in Padang must wear the hijab, parents protest and go to school

Rusmadi said the issue would be resolved collectively and amicably.

According to Rusmadi, students who were summoned because they do not wear a headscarf to school can go to school as usual.

“Ananda, we can go back to school as usual,” Rusmadi said.

Parent protest video

Previously reported, a video arguing between the students’ parents and SMKN 2 Padang Deputy Principal, West Sumatra, went viral on social media.

The 15-minute, 24-second video shared by EH’s Facebook account shows arguments about the obligation of all students, including non-Muslims, to wear the hijab at school.

In the video, a male voice can be heard explaining that he and his son are not Muslim.

The man who is the student’s father questioned why the state schools made this rule.

“How do you feel if your son is forced to follow the rules of the foundation? If the foundation is okay, this is the country,” said the man.

Also read: Non-Muslim students in Padang should wear hijab, Kadisdik – that’s an old policy, it will be evaluated

Meanwhile, the school stated that veiling for students was a school rule.

Responding to the teacher’s statement, the student’s parents, known as EH, admitted that they opposed the uniform rules.

“This is my religion. If you wear the hijab, it’s like I’m lying to my religious identity, sir,” EH said.

Old rules will be evaluated

The Director of the West Sumatra Bureau of Education, Adib Al Fikri, lamented the alleged incidence of forcing non-Muslim students to wear the hijab at SMK Negeri 2 Padang.

According to Adib, the rule that students wear the headscarf to school is actually an old rule.

This regulation exists since the authority of SMA / SMK has not been delegated to the Provincial Government.

“We are very sorry for this incident. This rule has long passed before the delegation of authority, since the era of Padang mayor Fauzi Bahar in 2005. Until now, it is still ongoing and only protested today,” Adib said. when contacted by Kompas.com on Friday.

Adib promised that this policy would be evaluated.

Later, non-Muslim students are not required to wear a headscarf or headscarf.

“We will definitely evaluate it. Later on, non-Muslims can adjust it,” Adib said.