Orientation colors the first day at school

Orientation colors the first day at school

Rizky KD Ntoma, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The first day of a new school year kicked off on Monday with the
beginning of a three-day orientation/hazing ritual for junior
high and high school first-year students.

Dozens of parents accompanied their children to school,
causing traffic jams in certain areas particularly in Mayestik
and Cipulir, South Jakarta.

During the orientation, first-year junior highers were ordered
to wear their elementary school uniforms while high school
freshmen had to wear their junior high uniforms.

The boys have to wear dunce caps while the girls' hair had to
be done up in pigtails with colorful, gaudy ribbons.

They were also ordered to march in the schoolyard during the
heat of midday while older students mocked them mercilessly.

"I really enjoyed it (the orientation) and didn't take it too
seriously when the older kids were yelling at me," said one new
student at state-run Junior High 19 in Mayestik, South Jakarta.

Teachers and adminstrators said that the purpose of the
orientation was to build solidarity and teamwork among the new
students.

Pembangunan Jaya Bintaro Junior High School vice principal
Firdaus said that the orientation was essentially an introduction
for teachers, staff and older students to get acquainted with the
new class.

He also said that a lot of parents were in favor of the
activity although some considered it emotionally disturbing for
young children.

"There are some parents who disagree with this. But we explain
to them the purpose of the orientation and guarantee no
(physical) harm will come to their children," Firdaus claimed.

A teacher at Kartika High School in Bintaro, South Jakarta,
said that during the orientation, the new kids would be taught
proper school etiquette, marching and school regulations.

"Since we don't want something bad to happen, such as a senior
verbally or physically abusing freshmen, teachers are assigned to
monitor the orientation," said another teacher.

A mother, who accompanied her daughter to SLTP 19, said that
she did not mind the mild hazing because it was organized by the
school.

"I don't mind my daughter going through the ritual as long as
it's harmless, unlike in the past when there were reports of new
kids getting really depressed," she said.

"Nowadays, I see that teachers also take responsibility to
observe the orientation and never leave it entirely to the
seniors. It is more under control and I'm sure my daughter enjoys
it," she said.