The ABC's of school violence

The ABC's of school violence

From Warta Kota

Brawls have become common among students, particularly those in high school. And if they have an audience for their fights the students really go wild, seemingly trying to show their strength.

Despite the deaths of their schoolmates, they are not at all deterred. An eye for an eye is virtually their law.

In their bags, these students carry weapons right along with their books, as if they were some kind of mandatory school supply. Therefore, I support the police raids on schools to seize students' weapons. In this way, the brutality of the students will likely be reduced.

Students become bolder when they gather in groups, which is rather different from their demeanor when by themselves. Security forces should therefore anticipate all contingencies when students appear in groups.

This is necessary because students now commit crimes like robberies on buses. The media also reports these student crimes, so it is clear that such acts, which sometimes result in the deaths of others, are serious offenses rather than just acts of delinquency.

As parents of three small children, we wonder whether schools in Jakarta are in such critical condition that we should be fearful of having our children educated in the capital. So we appeal to the authorities to take stern measures against violent students.

SYAIFUL

Jakarta