Hair of Female Students Cut by Rogue Teacher at SMKN 2 Garut, KPAI Calls for Serious Evaluation

The Indonesian Child Protection Commission has called for a serious evaluation of the disciplinary methods used by a rogue teacher at SMKN 2 Garut who cut the hair of 18 female students. “We urge a serious evaluation of disciplinary methods like this,” said KPAI Chairman Aris Adi Leksono to Kompas.com on Thursday (7/5/2026). Aris stated that from a child protection perspective, the issue is not merely about school hair regulations, but about the method of enforcing discipline, which must still respect the dignity, psychological well-being, and rights of children. KPAI understands the importance of discipline in the school environment. However, said Aris, the enforcement of discipline must still be based on child protection principles, respect for the dignity of students, and the involvement of parents. He once again affirmed support for disciplining children to follow school rules. “But the discipline carried out must still be humane and from a child protection perspective,” he said. This hair-cutting case is said to have traumatised the female students at SMKN 2 Garut. Several parents firmly rejected the school’s apology after their children experienced deep trauma due to the forced hair-cutting action by the rogue teacher on Thursday (30/4/2026). The parents’ legal representative, Asep Muhidin, revealed that the school’s actions were considered to have exceeded educational ethics. Asep emphasised that there is strong pressure from parents for the teacher involved to be immediately transferred from the school. “From our clients, some do not want to forgive until the teacher involved is reassigned because their daughter is traumatised and does not want to go to school,” he said when contacted by Kompas.com on Tuesday (5/5/2026).