Course aims to reduce student brawls

JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta police precinct is to hold a special policing course for high school students in an effort to reduce the number of brawls in the city.

Central Jakarta Police Chief Lt. Col. Abubakar Nataprawira acknowledged that the course, called 'Pelajar Siaga', is adapted from a similar course organized by the South Jakarta force.

"City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata has instructed the police precincts in the greater Jakarta area to run the course," Abubakar said yesterday after visiting 15 students who had been detained for brawling.

He said the course, which will take up to two weeks and focus on improving discipline, is to be aimed at known troublemakers.

"It worked in South Jakarta. It should work here, too, because we have the same problems," he said.

Abubakar said the course is one of several solutions to student brawls. Another is relocating the schools.

Hamami has suggested that where there are neighboring schools, one should be moved to prevent the students from brawling.

He expressed deep concern about the number of deaths caused by brawls among students.

However, Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro has said that relocating schools will not stop students from brawling.

According to Wardiman a shortage of public transportation vehicles has been the main reason for student brawls.

Three students died in separate brawls, in West Jakarta, Central Jakarta and North Jakarta, earlier this month.

At least 12 students have died in brawls in the city over the past six months. (jun)