Hundreds of teachers and students of SMKN 38 on Jalan Kebon Sirih, No. 98 Menteng, Central Jakarta are resentful of their school is evicted due to Jalan Abdul Muis widening project by City Public Works (PU) Department.

It is affected by road widening, a program from PU Department

Head of Central Jakarta Secondary Education (Dikmen), Zainal Soleman, clarified the SMKN 38 building will be affected by the road widening project of the PU Department.

“It is affected by road widening, a program from PU Department,” said Soleman to beritajakarta.com, Monday (6/9).

The PU Department will look for the best way for the students’ and teachers’ sakes related to this project. “We are directing the best way out. The road widening is important, indeed we prioritize it,” Soleman stated.

He also acknowledged not knowing in detail the affected school building due to this project. However, after the eviction, the school building is estimated to left only 400 meter.

"That’s not proper again for a school building. We are thinking and looking for another school that is match with SMKN 8’s majors. We are looking for the near location so that the students’ coverage is not too far,” Soleman added.

Soleman admitted to have proposed new land for SMKN 38 to Facilities and Infrastructure of City Education Department (Disdik). That proposal or income is currently waiting for the decision of Head of City Disdik, Lasro Marbun.

“The abolition or removal of a school is in the hand of head of department. We are from the region have given incomes whether to be removed by new land or relocated to other available SMKN,” admitted Soleman. 

Head Section Management and teacher of SMKN 38, Suratno, uttered that he could not do anything if the school he teaches in will be affected by the road widening project from PU Department.

“We are following policies from the department since we are just civil servants. The teachers can be placed in any schools,” Suratno said in SMKN 38.

He admitted that since last year, he has been told about the road widening project in meetings with Disdik and PU Department along with Central Jakarta Dikmen Sub-Department. The meetings were held twice on September 13, 2013, then on May 19, 2014 in PU Department office.

“The certain execution has not existed yet, whether it carries out this year, next year, I do not know yet. I have been told that it has been budgeted this year, we just prepare mentally,” added Suratno sadly.

In that meeting, the school building which has 1,671 meter wide will be affected the widening project of 1,200 meter.

Also in the meeting, City Disdik asked the school party to look for another school building for temporary shelter for student’s learning place. “We have not been told which building since they just asked to look for temporary shelter,” told Suratno.

There are 330 students with 12 learning groups, in which every class filled with 32 students who learn from 6.30 AM until 3 PM. There are three major studies namely, Food Services, Fashion Design, Hospitality and Accommodation. "Last graduates of our school are 95 people. All students here study in the morning," Suratno completed.