SMAN 1 Sentolo Students Protest Alleged Harassment; Vice Principal Claims Issue is Being Exploited

A number of students from SMAN 1 Sentolo, Kulon Progo, recently held a protest regarding the alleged harassment of a female student by a security guard. Johan Wahyudi, the Vice Principal of Student Affairs, suggested that the issue is being used as a ‘passenger’ for other grievances.

“In reality, the root cause is a school policy that students are unhappy with, namely the 06:50 WIB start time. The school expects students to be in their classrooms by 07:00 WIB, accounting for a 10-minute walk from the car park,” Johan stated when met at SMAN 1 Sentolo, Kulon Progo, on Thursday (17/09/2026).

“So, they are piggybacking on this. They are saying, ‘We do not agree with the 06:50 WIB start time, especially since this case (the alleged harassment) has not been handled.’ That is essentially what is happening. However, the ‘passengers’ are the ones going viral,” he explained.

Students at SMAN 1 Sentolo had previously converged on the guidance and counselling (BK) room following the allegations of harassment by the security guard. Johan noted that the individual in question is currently being processed for dismissal.

“The students spontaneously asked, ‘Who says it hasn’t been resolved? It is being ignored, and the security guard is still visible.’ I then explained, ‘The process is scheduled for these dates, and the results have been followed up,’” said Johan.

According to Johan, claiming the case was not being handled or was being hidden is inaccurate, as the school has taken action. “The idea that it has not been followed up or is being hidden is incorrect because it has been resolved. It may just be that they are not satisfied,” he said.

Johan admitted that he personally wanted the security guard to be transferred from the school immediately. “The satisfaction would come from him being dismissed. In fact, I am also not entirely satisfied because my proposal was for a transfer. That is what I suggested,” he concluded.

It was previously reported that a female student at SMAN 1 Sentolo reported the behaviour of a security guard to the counselling department. Johan Wahyudi stated that the incident began when two female students went to retrieve items left in their classroom after marching practice in August.

At the time, the school was quiet. The students requested the security guard’s assistance in retrieving the items. Johan stated that after retrieving the items, the guard allegedly attempted to embrace one of the students, but she managed to avoid him.

The school became aware of the incident after the student reported it to the guidance teacher. Johan noted that CCTV footage was reviewed to verify the incident.

According to Johan, the CCTV footage shows the security guard attempting to embrace the student and shows the student attempting to evade him.