Teacher in West Lombok Reprimanded for Embezzling Rp 105 Million in Student Savings

A teacher at SDN 5 Babussalam in West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, identified by the initials LA, has been issued a written reprimand for embezzling Rp 105 million in savings belonging to third-grade students. The Head of the West Lombok Education and Culture Office, Lalu Najamuddin, stated that the sanction was imposed because the teacher’s actions violated disciplinary and ethical standards for educators. “We have prepared it, administratively a written reprimand is given first. It is a disciplinary or ethical violation because the students’ rights were misused,” Najamuddin said on Thursday (25/6/2026).

Najamuddin confirmed he has instructed the head of SDN 5 Babussalam to require the teacher to make an official statement on stamped paper as a form of accountability to the students’ parents. He stressed that the savings must be returned in accordance with the agreement outlined in the statement. Should the teacher fail to comply, the office will consider imposing heavier sanctions. “The money must be returned to the students. Whatever the method, it must be returned. If there is a delay, we will prepare stricter sanctions,” he asserted.

Regarding the possibility of dismissal, Najamuddin said his office would first coordinate with the Regional Civil Service and Human Resources Development Agency. He added that the Education Office will also evaluate the student savings mechanism in schools. In the future, schools will be required to cooperate with official financial institutions so that funds are not managed directly by teachers. “We will evaluate the mechanism. The money should not be held directly by the teacher; it should be deposited in a bank,” he explained.

Meanwhile, the Head of Primary Education at the West Lombok Education Office, Heny Murdianti, said the teacher has made an official statement on stamped paper pledging to take responsibility. She noted that the teacher plans to take out a bank loan to repay the funds. However, as the loan disbursement is expected only at the beginning of next month, the teacher may need to renegotiate the deadline with the parents, which was initially set for Friday (26/6/2026).

Previously, it was reported that the teacher had allegedly embezzled the savings of approximately 30 third-grade students. One parent, Rodi, expressed disappointment that his child’s savings of Rp 2.5 million had not been returned, while students in other classes had already received theirs. He said the money, saved gradually over a year from his work as a grain porter, was intended to buy rice and meet family needs.