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)