A student alliance in Buleleng, Bali, organised a demonstration\ntitled \u2018September Cerah\u2019 (Bright September). They raised several\nregional issues, ranging from the equitable distribution of education\nand disaster preparedness to infrastructure development in remote\nareas.<\/p>\n
The protest involved the Cipayung Plus Buleleng coalition (including\nKMHDI, HMI, GMKI, IMM, PMII, and GMNI) and Student Executive Boards\n(BEM) from various universities in Buleleng. The action was centred at\nthe Laksmi Graha Building courtyard, Praja Mandala Singa Ambara Raja\narea, Buleleng, on Sunday (20\/09\/202cap).<\/p>\n
The protest coordinator and Chairperson of KMHDI Buleleng, Komang Dia\nDamayanti, noted that while the month is nationally known as \u2018September\nHitam\u2019 (Black September) due to human rights movements, students in\nBuleleng chose to convey a different message through \u2018September\nCerah\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cNationally, this month is identified with September Hitam, but here\nin Buleleng, we chose September Cerah. We want to showcase the unique\ncharacter of Buleleng\u2019s youth and hope this movement can bring bright\nchanges to various regional issues,\u201d said Dia.<\/p>\n
One of the primary concerns raised by the students was education.\nThey urged the government to accelerate the equalisation of educational\nquality, the fulfilment of teaching staff requirements, and the\nprovision of school facilities and infrastructure in remote regions.<\/p>\n
Students also highlighted the local government\u2019s disaster\npreparedness. They questioned concrete steps to anticipate fires during\nthe dry season and floods during the rainy season, among other potential\ndisasters.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, the students demanded more equitable infrastructure\ndevelopment, specifically regarding road networks connecting villages\nand remote areas within Buleleng.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, the students expressed disappointment that the\nRegent of Buleleng and the Chairperson of the Buleleng Regional House of\nRepresentatives (DPRD) did not attend the dialogue in person. Their\naspirations were received by several officials, including the Head of\nthe Buleleng Education, Youth, and Sports Office, the Head of the\nRegional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Head of the National\nUnity and Politics Agency (Kesbangpol), the Deputy Chairperson of the\nBuleleng DPRD, and the Buleleng Police Chief.<\/p>\n
Dia stated that the students intended to discuss issues directly with\nregional leaders. She emphasised that students did not come merely to\ncriticise, but also to offer ideas and open spaces for collaboration to\nresolve Buleleng\u2019s problems.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do not only want to criticise. We also want to offer ideas and\ncollaborate to solve the existing problems in Buleleng,\u201d added Dia.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the First Deputy Chairperson of the Buleleng DPRD, I\nNyoman Gede Wandira Adi, appreciated the dialogue organised by the\nstudents. Wandira stated that criticism and input from students should\nserve as evaluation material for the local government.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the students have presented is the real condition that the\nlocal government must address together,\u201d said Wandira.<\/p>\n
Wandira noted that there were at least 14 points of input presented\nby the students during the dialogue, most of which related to education\nand disaster management.<\/p>\n
Regarding education, Wandira acknowledged ongoing issues with school\ninfrastructure and teacher shortages. He mentioned that several school\nbuildings in Buleleng are in need of repair.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt must be recognised that much of our school infrastructure is\ncurrently inadequate; some have even collapsed,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Regarding the issue of teaching staff, Wandira mentioned that the\nlocal government has been attempting to address teacher shortages\nthrough honorary staff. However, he noted that the need for educators\nmust be resolved with competent teachers who meet official\nregulations.<\/p>\n
Regarding disaster management, Wandira stated that the local\ngovernment needs to strengthen prevention measures. \u201cFloods in the rainy\nseason and fires in the dry season are priorities for the local\ngovernment. Naturally, the programmes we create must focus more on\nprevention,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/buleleng-students-highlight-educational-equality-and-infrastructure-development-1789915860", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }