Government considers ban on hazing

Government considers ban on hazing

JAKARTA (JP): Following reports of alleged abuse and an
escalating number of fatalities, the government is now
considering banning student initiation programs on university
campuses, an official said on Monday.

"We're thoroughly evaluating the implementation of the
initiation programs, and we'll likely ban the programs," the
director general of higher studies, Satryo Soemantri
Brodjonegoro, said.

He said a team at the Ministry of Education and Culture was
now evaluating the benefits and weaknesses of the initiation
programs, their effects on students and how universities conduct
the programs.

Satryo said the government would still wait for input from all
universities nationwide before banning the programs from campus
tradition.

"We do not want to make any hasty decisions," he told
reporters on the sidelines of the 15th anniversary celebration of
Universitas Terbuka (Open University) in Pondok Cabe, South
Jakarta.

He said, however, that it would be inappropriate to continue
the programs.

"Student initiation programs are a tradition which dates back
to the colonial days," he said.

The rector of Universitas Terbuka, Bambang Sujiatmono, shared
Satryo's opinion on the agenda.

"Initiation programs hold no benefit for the students at all.
And I think students need to evaluate what they've actually been
trying to achieve through such activities," he said.

He said the initiation programs would only serve as an example
for new students to follow authorities' repressive action against
people, which is what they have been fighting against so far.

He said the programs should be replaced with more constructive
activities that would introduce new students to campus life.

"They (new students) should be taught how to learn
independently or how to follow campus regulations," the rector
said.

He said parents were now worried about sending their children
to college. "It's foolish to have students die because of the
programs."

The student initiation programs have been in hot water
following reports of excessive violence by committee members of
the programs.

Last month, Suryowati Hagus Daryanto, a freshman at the
National Institute of Science and Technology (ISTN), died after
joining the first day of the campus' scheduled three-day
initiation program. The program was terminated on the second day
following Suryowati's death.

Also in August, the Atma Jaya Catholic University in Central
Jakarta conducted an investigation into alleged abuse following
reports of sexual harassment during the program. (03)