PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The West Java Provincial Government (Jabar) through the West Java Education Office (Disdik) has emphasized its commitment to ensuring that the learning process at the Baitul Hikmah Al Mamuni Garut Foundation High School continues to run.

The Education Secretary explained that his office had previously coordinated with the Deputy Regent of Garut and various other relevant parties. During the meeting, it was agreed that the West Java Provincial Government, through the West Java Special Legal Team, would handle the matter.

"Today, we met with the West Java Special Legal Team to discuss legal consultations with the school and the foundation. However, our discussion with the legal team concluded that because this matter has already been handled by other legal counsel, the foundation is welcome to discuss it amicably. If the West Java Special Legal Team is needed, it must be done through established procedures and ethics," he explained in the West Java Education Office's Operation Room in Bandung on Wednesday (January 14, 2026).

However, the West Java Provincial Government remains open for legal consultation while awaiting the foundation's next steps.

From a functional perspective, he continued, the West Java Education Office's primary focus is ensuring the teaching and learning process continues uninterrupted. "We remind schools to ensure learning activities continue. We must ensure there are no further impacts that could be detrimental to children. We also ask teachers to continue providing guidance and safeguarding students from being provoked. Children should not be involved in this issue because their job is to learn," he stressed.

In the meantime, he added, efforts are being made to maintain learning, including through various alternatives such as distance learning, module-based learning, projects, and other media. "Learning doesn't always have to be online . It can be through modules or other means. The important thing is that children continue learning," he said.

He continued, saying that the West Java Education Office is also working to utilize other learning spaces, including those at nearby junior high schools. If facilities, such as furniture, are limited, they will try to find a solution by borrowing from other schools.

"What is clear is that our position is to fight for children to continue to receive their right to education. Legal issues, land issues, and facilities are the responsibility of the foundation and the legal process. However, children's right to learn must not be interrupted," he said.

As a concrete step, he said, the West Java Education Office has written to the Regent of Garut with a copy to the Governor to facilitate the resolution of this problem, including requesting that school access be unblocked and guarded by the police to prevent intimidation or interference from outside parties.

"While we wait for the legal process to play out, we hope the school can remain operational and the children can continue to study there. Regardless of the legal outcome, we must still prepare solutions to prevent children from dropping out of school," he stressed.

The West Java Education Office also urged those claiming land ownership to consider the future of the 138 students currently attending the school. "This school has had a permit since 1981. Please respect these children's rights. Let the legal process proceed, but don't sacrifice their future," he said.

Don't Sacrifice Students' Right to Learn

Similarly, the Head of the West Java Special Legal Team, Jutek Bongso, emphasized that the current waqf land dispute must not sacrifice children's rights to continue receiving an education.

"Today, the foundation came for a consultation. We, the legal team, were involved to provide legal advice, as this has become a legal matter. Please allow the legal process to proceed; that's the court's domain, and we won't interfere. If we are asked to assist legally, we are certainly ready," he explained.

However, he emphasized that the far more important issue at the moment is the cessation of teaching and learning activities due to the school being locked and sealed since the end of December by the party claiming to be the land owner.

"We received reports in late December 2025 that the school had been locked by a party claiming to be the owner based on certificates from 2015 and 2022. This should not happen, as it would prevent children from attending school. It's in the state's interest to ensure children continue to learn," he stressed.

He hopes that within the next week at the latest, teaching and learning activities can resume. "Children must not be sacrificed. The state must be present. Whatever the dispute, regardless of who owns the land, the government will certainly find a solution, even if it takes time," he said.

He stated that children should remain allowed to attend school at their old locations while the legal process is ongoing. "While awaiting the legal process and the review by the Education Office, schools must reopen. The most important thing now is that children remain in school. That's the main thing," he concluded.