Jakarta. Schools operated by the Harapan Ibu Islamic School Foundation in South Jakarta will move classes online for a week as police investigate the discovery of nearly 1,000 airsoft guns and other weapons inside the foundation's premises.

Foundation lawyer Hermawanto said on Sunday the temporary shift to remote learning was intended to ensure student safety while giving police greater access to inspect and secure the premises.

"The school will implement remote learning for one week to ensure the safety and security of students," Hermawanto said.

The weapons were discovered in a room previously used by the foundation's former chairman, identified only by the initials IWD, who had been previously dismissed amid allegations of misuse of foundation funds as part of an internal dispute.

Hermawanto said foundation officials remained concerned because several rooms had yet to be opened and inspected, while other areas had been sealed off with police lines.

"There are still locked rooms, and we don't know what's inside them," he said.

Another foundation lawyer, Alvon Kurnia Palma, said parents had also requested remote learning while police examined areas suspected of containing prohibited or potentially dangerous items.

"The purpose is to make sure the children can continue learning safely," Alvon said.

He urged police to thoroughly inspect and secure the premises before students return to face-to-face classes.

"We strongly encourage the police to immediately secure and clear the areas whose contents remain unknown," he said.

Separately, Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Arifatul Fauzi urged the public and other parties to protect the privacy of students and avoid stigmatizing them because of the weapons investigation.

"Children must not become victims of problems for which they bear no responsibility. Let us protect their privacy and psychological well-being so they can continue learning comfortably," Arifatul said in Jakarta on Sunday.

She expressed concern over the discovery and called for a comprehensive inspection of school rooms and facilities, as well as stronger security measures to ensure a safe educational environment.

"We respect the ongoing investigation and leave the case to the police. We will not prejudge the legal process. However, the best interests of the children must remain the priority," she said.

South Jakarta Police previously said officers had secured 995 airsoft guns, four air rifles, one Francispa-brand firearm and four unidentified long-gun barrels from the premises.

Police also recovered two rolled cigarettes suspected of containing marijuana and one package suspected of containing methamphetamine.

Authorities have not yet announced the results of examinations to determine the legal status and ownership of all the weapons or laboratory tests confirming the contents of the suspected drugs.

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