NTB Primary School Teacher Embezzles Rp 105 Million in Student Savings, Education Office Imposes Sanctions

A teacher at SDN 5 Babussalam in West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), with the initials LA, has embezzled Rp 105 million in savings belonging to third-grade students. The West Lombok Education and Culture Office (Disdikbud) has imposed a written sanction on LA.

Head of the West Lombok Disdikbud, Lalu Najamuddin, stated that the written reprimand was issued because LA’s actions were deemed a violation of discipline and ethics as an educator. “We have prepared it, administratively a written reprimand is given first. It is a disciplinary or ethical violation, because the students’ rights were used,” said Najamuddin.

Najamuddin confirmed he has instructed the Head of SDN 5 Babussalam to require LA to make an official statement on stamped paper as a form of responsibility to the students’ parents. “I have deployed the Head of Primary Education, but beforehand I also called the school principal. I asked the teacher in question to make a statement letter, signed on stamped paper,” he said.

Najamuddin stressed that the students’ savings must be returned according to the agreement outlined in the statement letter. If not, the Disdikbud will consider imposing heavier sanctions. Regarding the possibility of dismissal, Najamuddin said his office will first coordinate with the Regional Civil Service and Human Resources Development Agency (BKDPSDM).