Relocating schools not the answer to brawls: Wardiman
Relocating schools not the answer to brawls: Wardiman
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman
Djojonegoro says that relocating schools will not stop students
brawling.
He said that the idea to relocate schools which are close to
each other or that are close to shopping centers is good. "But,
that's not the point. Thorough studies are needed and they take
time," he said.
Wardiman said many factors should be taken into consideration
before a decision on school relocations is made. "We must think
about the transportation for students and teachers, who mostly
live in areas close to their schools. The project would be very
expensive, too," he said.
Earlier, Jakarta Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata suggested
that where there are neighboring schools, one should be moved to
prevent the students from brawling.
Some schools are located in strategic areas, such as in
business and shopping areas.
Hamami expressed concern over the number of deaths that have
occurred in student brawls.
A study started in April last year by Yogyakarta-based Gadjah
Mada University and the public order office of Jakarta found
evidence of business interests behind the lingering students
brawls. Some students involved in brawling said in interviews
they were paid between Rp 10,000 and Rp 15,000 each for "their
courage".
Minister Wardiman said, however, that a shortage of public
transportation has been the main problem behind students brawls.
His opinion was that student brawls often take place at bus
shelters where a large number of students from different schools
meet.
"We have suggested that the Ministry of Transportation add
more buses for students," Wardiman said Saturday when
inaugurating a new laboratory of the state-owned senior high
school SMU VI on Jl. Mahakam, South Jakarta.
He called private transportation companies to also provide
buses for students.
When asked of the possibility of the brawls being engineered
by a third party, he replied; "It's probably true."
Three students have died in separate brawls, in West Jakarta,
North Jakarta and Central Jakarta over the last couple of weeks.
On Sept. 6, Edi Saputra, a student from a private technical
high school in downtown Kota, West Jakarta, was stabbed to death
by three students from another school during a brawl on Jl.
Latumeten, Grogol district, West Jakarta. Two of the three
students have been arrested but the remaining student is still at
large.
On the same day, Jamot, a student from a private technical
senior high school in North Jakarta was stabbed to death in Jl.
Jembatan Tiga, North Jakarta.
Bachtiar Effendi, a student from a private technical high
school, was stabbed to death by three students of another private
high school last Tuesday in Jl. Kramat Raya, in Central Jakarta.
The death of Bachtiar Effendi prompted a riot on the following
day as angry friends of the victim threw stones at passersby on
the street in front of the Central Jakarta Police precinct.
The killers of both Jamot and Bachtiar are still at large.
Jakarta Police arrested at least 29 students from two private
senior high schools involved in a brawl on Jl. Harmoni, Central
Jakarta on Friday. Some students reportedly suffered head and
body injuries.
The police seized three machetes, two swords and some iron
bars.
At least 12 students have died in brawls in the city over the
past six months. (jun)