JakartaPost-Sept 2, 2024
Following the deaths of several students allegedly resulting from assaults by teachers, experts have called on the government to pay closer attention to educators’ mental health, noting that many are enduring heavy workloads and low wages. A 14-year-old junior high school student in Deli Serdang regency, North Sumatra, identified by his initials RSS, reportedly died on Sept. 26 after receiving a harsh punishment from his teacher, SWH, a week earlier. He had been ordered to do 100 squat jumps for failing to complete an assignment. The victim’s family suspected the punishment took place on Sept. 19 and said RSS began to feel sore the day after, with visible rashes and bruising on his thigh that made him unable to walk. The boy was brought to a nearby hospital the next week when his injuries worsened. He was pronounced dead a day later. The school has since issued an apology to the victim’s family but said the punishment, though excessive, did not come from ill-intent. The teacher in question, who is not a permanent employee, has been suspended and is under investigation. In September, a 13-year-old pesantren (Islamic boarding school) student in Blitar, East Java, identified by the initials MKA reportedly died of a head injury after a teacher threw a wooden plank with nails sticking out of it while disciplining students. Blitar police spokesperson First. Insp. Samsul Anwar said the incident occurred on the morning of Sept. 15, when MKA allegedly ignored instructions from the teacher to take a shower after a regular morning workout. The teacher then threw the wooden plank, hitting MKA’s head. The student was declared dead at a nearby hospital later that day. The incidents have added to mounting concerns about school safety, amid a spike in assault cases at schools in recent months. The Federation of Indonesian Teachers Associations (FSGI) has recorded 36 “severe” assaults so far this year, 21 of which took place from July to September. Educators – whether teachers, school principals, national scouts (Pramuka) mentors or extracurricular coaches – were the perpetrators in the majority of the incidents, according to the data. Read more at:
