Stop the Chain of Violence against Students

A teacher at SMA Negeri 12 high school in Bekasi city, West Java, was given a sanction for committing violence against his students. It was not the first case of violence by a teacher against their students.

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO

Students walk to a field to attend a joint prayer before starting learning activities at SDN State Elementary School in Larangan, Tangerang city, Banten, Friday (14/2/2020). The rise in the number of cases of bullying in schools has attracted the attention of the community, especially parents. Guidance and supervision, the setting of good examples by teachers at school and the participation of parents are part of the efforts to overcome the bullying.

Also taking place in Bekasi city, in February last year, a private elementary school teacher reportedly committed physical violence against a 10-year-old student. In the city of Manado, North Sulawesi, last year, a private junior high school teacher was also reported to the police, because his 14-year-old student died while serving his punishment.

The violence by teachers against students, which is not only physical, but also sexual, has occurred in various regions. The cases unveiled to the public could only the tip of the iceberg. The number of cases of violence by educators could be even greater.

Almost simultaneously, three private junior high school (SMP) teachers in the district of Butuh, Purworejo regency, Central Java, were named suspects because they had jointly harassed a student and her friends. Like cases of violence by teachers, last year a number of cases of violence by students against other students also took place in number of regions.

Sadly, violence in schools can also involve parents of the students. Cases of violence by parents against teachers have occurred in Makassar, South Sulawesi; Bolaang Mongondow, North Sulawesi; and Mamuju, West Sulawesi. Even worse, there were also cases of violence of students against teachers, such as in 2018 in Sampang regency, East Java, and in 2019 in Manado, which ended with the death of a teacher.

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

President Joko Widodo, accompanied by Vice President Ma\'ruf Amin, presides over a limited meeting to discuss the handling of cases of violence against children at the Jakarta Presidential Palace Complex, Thursday (9/1/2020).

Like other citizens, both teachers and students have the right to life, to not be tortured, and to be free from discrimination, as regulated in Article 28I of the 1945 Constitution. Article 28B Paragraph (2) of the 1945 Constitution states: "Every child has the right to life, survival, development, and is entitled to protection from violence and discrimination.”

Protection for children, including students, is strengthened by Law No. 35/2014 concerning child protection. Article 54 states that children in educational institutions must obtain protection from violence and other crimes. The protection of children must be done by educators, fellow students, officials, and the community.

The National Education System, as stipulated in Law No. 20/2003, also ensures education in this country is held democratically, fairly, non-discriminatively, and respects the values of humanity, religion, culture, and national diversity. Education also requires a role model, creativity development, and learning.

If we read the various rules, there should be no more violence in educational institutions in this country. Violence can occur because some parties want to dominate and are not willing to hold a dialogue, and are not able to set an example. Violence in educational institutions must be stopped in line with the basis of the implementation of education in this country. Discipline is important in schools, but its enforcement must be humane. Everyone must realize that education is the best way to improve the quality of the nation.