At the beginning of 2021, there was a case that shocked the world of education in Indonesia, namely the obligation to wear the hijab in schools, both Muslim and non-Muslim. This case surfaced excitedly after a video about parents and students who objected to the school's rules. This incident occurred at SMK 2 Padang, where one of the students who was a non-Muslim was forced by the school to wear the hijab and the girl refused because she felt it was an obligation (galamedia.com). This case also received the spotlight from the Minister of Education and the vice president of Indonesia so that a Joint Decree (SKB) was made by three ministers, namely the Minister of Education, the Minister of Home Affairs, the Minister of Religion. The contents of three ministerial decrees contain the uniforms and attributes of students, educators, and education personnel used in secondary and basic education. This letter was submitted to the Supreme Court (MA), then processed and the Supreme Court decided to cancel the SKB.
The decision from the Supreme Court regarding the SKB proposed by the 3 ministers attracted the attention of various groups and agencies. The reason is that the Supreme Court decided to cancel the SKB 3 ministers, which raises pros and cons among the public. One of the pro parties with this SKB is the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), which KPAI regrets the Supreme Court's decision regarding the uniforms and attributes of these students. quoted from Detik.com, Retno Listyarti as Commissioner of KPAI stated that if the decision from the MA is very unfortunate with this decree we can strengthen the values of nationality, unity and integrity, and tolerance between religions in schools which are where students learn (Detik.com). In addition to those who are pro, some are against the SKB 3 of the minister regarding this school uniform, where the contenders state that if this SKB is approved then the student's school uniform is against Islamic law. Those who oppose this policy say if the SKB supporters want to dress students in the school who are against the provisions and Islamic law (Kabar24.com).
The ministerial decree on school uniforms was made to free students from wearing uniforms and religious attributes, not only students but also teachers and school staff. This freedom can be interpreted as an attitude of tolerance and mutual respect between religions. If this SKB is not made, then other students who have different religions or different choices will feel discriminated against both from school and the community. Indeed, the existence of this SKB gives students the freedom to use uniforms and religious attributes that are still within the limits of being polite. This can teach students to respect every difference that exists in the school and foster an attitude of tolerance instilled in students between other religions.
The existence of the SKB on school uniforms indirectly teaches students about the values of nationality, unity, and integrity that exist in Indonesia. Indonesia has a wide variety of cultures, ethnic groups, and religions where students must have this sense of unity and oneness. With this SKB also, students can make their own choices regarding school uniforms, in which they indirectly make decisions on themselves and not from obligation or coercion. The most important thing from the SKB for school uniforms is a form of tolerance towards religious communities in Indonesia because we cannot generalize school uniforms for all religions.
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