Prioritizing Student Safety

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

Members of a search and rescue (SAR) team search the Sempor River for students of SMP Turi 1 junior high school on Saturday (22/2/2020) in Donokerto village, Turi, Sleman, Yogyakarta. Volunteers from several agencies also joined the SAR team in the search for the students, who were swept away during a school activity at the Sempor River.

"To all schools, please be careful and consider the situation," Sumarno said as he bid farewell to his granddaughter, a victim of the Sempor River tragedy.

His granddaughter Khoirunnisa Nurcahyani Sukmaningdyah was a student at SMP Turi 1 state junior high school and one of the fatal victims of the Sempor River tragedy. She was buried at the village cemetery on Saturday (22/2/2020) in Girikerto, Turi district, Sleman regency, Yogyakarta.

Khoirunnisa was buried on what would have been her 13th birthday. Of the 249 SMPN 1 Turi students who took part in the school activity along the riverbank, 239 survived, although some were injured (Kompas, 22-23/2/2020). Ten students, all female, had been confirmed dead by Sunday (23/2/2020).

Sumarno and his extended family, as well as the village community, sobbed as they parted with Khoirunnisa. Various circles continued to appeal to educators to be more careful in conducting activities for students.

"This is a big lesson for educators," said Sumarno.

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

Psychologists clear a classroom on Saturday (22/2/2020) for use as a consultation room at SMP Turi 1 State Junior High School in Donokerto village, Turi, Sleman, Yogyakarta. Local agencies had sent the psychologists to the school to provide counseling services for the families of several students who were swept away during a school activity at the Sempor River.

Education and Culture Minister Nadiem Makarim, while expressing his condolences over the SMPN 1 Turi school tragedy, also called on educators to remain always careful and on the alert in conducting activities outside of school. Schools must ensure that activities prioritize student safety and security.

There is a saying among the Javanese people regarding nature and environmental activities, “angon mongso, angon wayah”: watch the weather, watch the time. It is a general reminder for all to pay attention to the weather and the time during any activity, especially those outside the home or in nature.Paying attention to the weather and the time can at least minimize the potential for danger. However, local wisdoms are rarely taught today in educational institutions or families.

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

Local residents gather at the funeral of Khoirunnisa Nurcahyani on Saturday (22/2/2020) in Girikerto village, Turi, Sleman, Yogyakarta. Khoirunnisa was killed the day before her 13th birthday when she was swept away in the Sempor River during a school activity. The search continues for the nine other students of SMP Negeri 1 Turi state junior high school, who are still missing.

Law No. 20/2003 on National Education also stipulates the educational principles of the country as democracy, justice, upholding human rights, respecting pluralism and providing example.

The duty of educators is not light. In addition to setting an example, including following the rules and paying heed to natural conditions, they also must recognize the potentials and weaknesses of individual students. Nature activities not only require certain preparations, but also ascertaining that all students are able to follow the activity.

The tragedy of SMPN 1 Turi’s student riverbank activity is a costly lesson for our education. A similar incident occurred in October 2019 in the Baduy region of Banten that involved the students of Jakarta’s SMP Budaya III junior high school. It is hoped that this sad tale will not be repeated among educational institutions, as all know that the safety and the future of students is of utmost importance.

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

Relatives comfort Hesti Wartini (second left) as she waits for news about her daughter Yasinta Bunga, who was still missing on Saturday (22/2/2020) in Donokerto village, Turi, Sleman, Yogyakarta. Search and rescue (SAR) teams and volunteers continue to search for Yasinta, who is among the 10 students of SMP Turi 1 state junior high school who were swept away in the Sempor River during a school activity.