Violence at school

In response to an article published on Oct. 14, 2003, titled Teacher orders pupils to whip nine-year-old, I would like to give my strong reaction. How come the teacher of Remban state elementary school in South Sumatra, initially named as Sa, 27, ordered classmates of a nine-year-old boy to take turns beating the child with a whip, recently? I think there is something wrong with the teacher's attitude.

In addition, the school principal should be held fully responsible for his actions. Besides, the school principal already knew that the teacher had been involved in two previous attacks on his students. There was no reason to turn a blind eye and forget all about it. They must take responsibility for this.

The school principal, however, should have had the courage to report Sa to the authorities, especially the local police, to take immediate action against him, in order to establish justice and security for all humankind.

Education needs a human touch, love and care in order to produce good human resources. Violence is not part of the educational system in Indonesia. It is very old-fashioned to implement such a brutal and violent system. What we need now is a good example from teachers to show students a good attitude and behavior in order to create civilized human resources.

AGUNG RIYANTO Bandung