Jakarta – Some 5,000 people from the group, "Society Concerned with National Education" staged a rally in front of the House of Representatives here on Thursday, rejecting a House plan to approve the bill on education.

In its statement, the society demanded the formulation of a national education system that would truly promote the nation's intellectuality and respect plurality.

"The bill, which is being deliberated in the House, has, right from the start, ignored the true objective of national education – promotion of the nation's intellectuality," society spokesman, Darmin Mbula said, as quoted by Antara.

According to the society, the bill – due to be passed into law by the House on June 10 – focuses on religious rather than general education. "In addition, the bill eradicates the roles of private institutes of higher learning, ignores the education of the poor and even threatens the country's social and national integrity," Darmin said.

On Wednesday, Minister of National Education Malik Fadjar said he hoped the House would not make a decision on the education bill by voting on it. The House is scheduled to convene a plenary meeting on June 10 to have its final say on the controversial bill.

"Making a decision on the education bill by voting is legitimate, according to democratic principles. However, it would be better to do it by consensus," Malik said.