Violence Among Students at SMA Taruna Kasuari Indicates Governance Issues
Chairman of Commission III of the DPD RI, Filep Wamafma, assesses that the incident of violence among students at SMA Taruna Kasuari Nusantara in Manokwari, West Papua, indicates issues with the governance of this semi-military-based education system.
The provincial government, along with all relevant parties, must conduct a thorough evaluation of the implementation of the student guidance, supervision, and security systems to prevent similar incidents from recurring.
“This is not a singular event, but an indication of fundamental problems in school management,” said Filep in an official statement received in Manokwari on Friday.
According to him, the act of violence perpetrated by Class XI students against several Class X students on Wednesday (24/4) around 20:00 WIT reflects that the school’s supervision pattern has not been running optimally.
The practice of violence among students contradicts the dormitory-patterned education system that prioritises discipline, character building, and the mentality of learners to become a competitive young generation.
Filep also requests that the handling of involved students be done wisely, prioritising a guidance-based and familial approach, considering that the pupils still have a long future ahead.
The restructuring of the SMA Taruna Kasuari Nusantara management system must be supported by the active role of teachers and all educational personnel to create a safe, comfortable school environment free from violent practices.
“A familial approach is important, including opening spaces for forgiveness between students, parents, and the school. However, systemic improvements must be carried out comprehensively,” he said.
The Head of the West Papua Education Office, Barnabas Dowansiba, regrets the violent actions by Class XI students that resulted in eight Class X students sustaining injuries and being taken to the Manokwari Naval Hospital for medical treatment.
His office will conduct an evaluation of the management of SMA Taruna Kasuari Nusantara, focusing on the student guidance system, internal supervision, security, and the mechanism for admitting students for the 2025/2026 academic year.
“We do not allow any student to commit violence against other students,” he stated.
Barnabas mentioned that the West Papua Provincial Government, together with the school, is also identifying the Class XI students involved in the violent acts, while allowing parents of Class X students to pursue legal channels.
His office guarantees that the entire process of handling the violence case is carried out transparently as a form of social responsibility and commitment to professional secondary education management.