Supriyani Teacher Criminalization Case: Educator Accused Of Abusing Police Child

JAKARTA - educators like teachers are prone to criminalization. Take the Supriyani case for example. The honorary teacher in South Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi is threatened with languishing in prison because he reprimanded his students at SDN 4 Baito. Unfortunately, the child he reprimanded was the son of the police.

Supriyani's accusations of molesting -- hitting -- his students surfaced. In fact, the incident never happened. Supriyani's case went to court. Support for Supriyani emerged from everywhere, politicians to legal experts.

No one doubts the existence of teachers in educating the nation's children. Teachers become students' saviors in fighting ignorance. This condition makes the state provide a large space for teachers to educate.

Teachers are not only released to provide an assessment of the study results of their students. Teachers also have a role in giving sanctions to students who violate religious norms to decency.

The narrative is contained in Government Regulation Number 74 of 2008 concerning Teachers. All teachers in Indonesia also adhere to the existing rules. Supriyani was the same. The honorary teacher at SDN 4 Baito felt that a first grade student was not disciplined in June 2024.

He also reprimanded the student, who in fact was the son of the Head of the Baito Police Intelligence Unit, Wibowo Hasyim. Supriyani's reprimand had a long tail. Wibowo felt that his son was not only reprimanded. However, Supriyani was accused of molesting her child because there were bruises on her thigh.

The problem reached the Baito Police. Both are trying to be mediated. Supriyani was asked to admit and apologize. Supriyani's party was also asked to pay a fine of Rp. 50 million. The school only agreed to Rp. 10 million.

Supriyani keukeuh did not feel hit. As a result, there is no common ground from mediation. Supriyani also said that none of her fellow teachers and students saw the persecution happen. Later Supriyani came to Wibowo's house with the intention of apologizing.

The problem is that the report has been made. Supriyani became a suspect on July 10, 2024. This condition caused a stir. The story of Supriyani's criminalization is everywhere.

Secretary General of the Indonesian Teachers Association (PGRI), Dudung Abdul Qodir, regretted the incident. The reason is, Supriyani's actions to reprimand the student are still in the education corridor on discipline.

"In education, discipline is important. How can our children mentally be strong if educational punishments are not carried out," said Ade Ridwan Yanwiputra in his article in Tempo magazine entitled Teacher of the Current Period: Disciplined Students With Suspect Status (2024).

Supriyani's suspect status is considered excessive. The problem should have been resolved at the village head level. However, it actually passed to the prosecutor's office. Supriyani's case was also tried. The facts in the trial confirmed what Supriyani revealed.

Supriyani only reprimanded her students. The issue of bruises on the thigh was not due to blows, but bruises arose because her students fell in a ditch. Wibowo remained weak. He still felt bruised on his son's thigh was the result of Supriyani's persecution.

Support for Supriyani came from various circles, there were politicians to legal experts. The Regent of South Konawe, Surunuddin Dangga also tried to mediate again Supriyani and WIbowo. The result was that the two of them reconciled on November 5, 2024.

Supriyani withdrew the peace statement the day after, or on November 6, 2024. This condition was because the peace agreement letter cornered Supriyani. Supriyani is considered to have carried out the persecution. Supriyani finally chose to continue the trial process.

He is ready with all kinds of decisions. He felt innocent. At its peak, the panel of judges at the Andoolo District Court released Supriyani from all kinds of demands on November 25, 2024. Or to coincide with Teacher's Day.

He was not proven to have abused his students. Supriyani's freedom was greeted with great fanfare. Supriyani hopes that there will be no more criminalization of other teachers in Indonesia. There are no teachers who want their students to be harmed.

"Declaring that the defendant Supriyani is not legally and convincingly proven guilty, and releases her from all charges," detailed the verdict of the District Court judge Andoolo as quoted on the tempo.co page, November 25, 2024.