Sexual Violence, Bullying, Intolerance: Three Big Sins In Educational Environments

School is the second home for children, so a sense of security is absolute for students. (Between/FB Anggoro/ama)

JAKARTA The efforts of the Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, Nadiem Makarim in removing the three major sins in the educational environment have not been proven to be effective. There are still many cases of bullying, sexual violence, or intolerance that occur in the educational environment.

In January-February 2023 alone, based on data from the Federation of Indonesian Teachers' Unions (FSGI), there have been 14 cases of sexual violence, all of which are currently in the police process. Also, 6 cases of bullying, both in public schools and religious-based schools.

Among other things, the 13-year-old Al Berr Pasuruan Islamic Boarding School santri case which was allegedly burned by his seniors. The victim suffered serious burns and had to receive treatment. However, for 19 days, the condition of the student with the initials INF did not improve and died at Sidoarjo Hospital on January 19, 2023.

Then, the case of an elementary school student in Banyuwangi with the initials MR who died by hanging himself. MR reportedly could not withstand the psychological burden as a result of frequent bullying from his school friends because he did not have a father. MR's father passed away one year ago.

Also, the case of a vocational school student in Samarinda who threatened his sports teacher with a machete just because he did not accept being reprimanded.

Not only by students, but the behavior of violence is also shown by the teacher. Like the case of the Head of Madrasah Tsanawiyah Nurul Islam Gresik who slapped dozens of students and four of them fainted. The reason is trivial just because the students eat outside the school canteen.

Teacher at SMK Muhammadiyah Banyuresmi, Garut is even worse. After slapping, this teacher also ordered the students to take part in slapping their friends who smoked in the classroom.

Even though they have forgiven each other, the teacher's acts of violence must receive corrections and sanctions. If not, said the Chairman of the FSGI Expert Council, Retno Listyarti, it is the same as schools or teachers legalizing violence in the educational environment. Contrary to the efforts of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Research and Technology to remove three major sins.

"Schools say there has been an agreement between teachers and students for every violation of school rules. Once wrong, they get a warning letter twice, if they have been given a warning letter three times other students will also punish them. Is that right?" Retno told VOI on March 6, 2023.

"Violations of school rules are handled by the field of studenthood, not each teacher makes his own law and executes himself. The punishment is slapping the face too, it's not true," he continued.

It is very dangerous for children's growth and development. Also, for schools where the teacher is located. Violence, said Retno, should not be carried out in an educational environment under the pretext of discipline even though.

Breaking the rules and breaking the law. Article 76C of Law no. 35 of 2014 concerning Child Protection has emphasized that everyone is prohibited from placing, allowing, committing, ordering, or participating in violence against children.

"If violence is ignored, how can the Ministry of Education and Culture's program to remove three major sins in educational institutions run effectively. Moreover, as long as there is violence, I think it is impossible for us to talk about the quality of education," he said.

Retno admits that it takes a long time to realize an educational environment free from three major sins: bullying, sexual violence, and intolerance. The Ministry of Education and Culture cannot run alone but requires other institutions, including families.

Because the biggest factor causing bullying is parenting. Children who are raised with violence, of course have inner wounds. He will look for ways to vent anger on his weaker friends, both at school and in his environment.

"If parents educate by instilling love, morals, always invite children to respect others, children will not be selfish, and will not always feel dominant," he said.

Psychologist from the University of Indonesia, Dr. Rose Mini Agoes Salim also has the same opinion. Moral is the most important factor in parenting. However, morals cannot grow properly without stimulation.

For example, a child who lives in a thief's family. Children will consider stealing to be normal, because their moral ability to consider stealing is a bad act that is not honed.

Likewise, anarchic attitude. People who grow up in anarchic environments also tend to think anarchic is an ordinary act. So, if anarchic attitude is instilled from an early age, children will most likely not do that," said Rose.

It is not easy to change the culture that exists in Indonesian educational circles so far. Of course it takes a long time. Even so, the Ministry of Education and Culture has at least acknowledged and designed a system to remove these sins

"There is already Pokja, prevention is carried out by the Character Education Center while the handling is by the Inspector General of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Research and Technology. The process is not like a fire department, there are cases that come out. We build a culture, build a system so that perpetrators or victims can be handled properly and according to the rules," said Retno.

The Ministry of Education and Culture, Research and Technology has issued regulations on the prevention of violence in schools in the form of Permendikbud Number 82 of 2015. This Permendikbud regulates procedures for preventing and overcoming violence to bring a sense of security to students, especially in the school environment as the second home to be free from violence.