Uneffective, Parents In Kupang Protest Children's School Time Starting At 5 Morning

A father takes his son to school when the school policy has been implemented at 5 am at High School (SMA) Negeri I Kupang in Kupang City, NTT, Wednesday (1/3/2023). (ANTARA)

KUPANG - A number of parents of parents in Kupang City, assessed that the policy regarding school activities starting at 05.30 WITA was a policy set in a hurry and ineffective

"In my opinion, the policies issued and determined are too hasty without thinking about the impact on children," said Ofni Otu, the parent of one of the students she met while taking her child to school at SMA Negeri I Kupang, quoted by ANTARA Wednesday, March 1.

He admitted that most parents of parents rejected the policy, because they were worried about the safety of their children who had to go to school at 4.30 WITA so they would not arrive at school late.

In addition, he also admitted that he was worried if criminal acts occurred at dawn which could disturb children's psyche and mentality.

"That's why I myself took my child from home. Because until 06.00 WITA public transportation such as bemo (angkot) had not yet started operating," he said.

Not only that, he is also worried about his son having to sleep starting at 23.00 WITA or 00.00 WITA due to the many homework tasks of teachers and having to wake up at 04.00 WITA to prepare for school.

"Of course there are very few hours of sleep and this is not good for health. Moreover, the teenagers need approximately eight hours to sleep," he added.

The same thing was conveyed by Ina, the parents of a student who was met at SMA Negeri I Kupang. He admitted that he had to continue to monitor his son's journey from home to school using a motorbike.

"So my son is a girl, he brings his own motorbike, then I also brought my own motorbike and followed from behind, for fear something happened on the road," he said.

He admitted that he was forced to follow the rules set by the government and also the school, although there had not been any joint discussion between the school committee and parents of the student guardian.

"Actually, it's a burden, because you have to leave home early in the morning with the streets still very quiet. But how can this be for the sake of the future for the children, so just come along," he added.

Previously, NTT governor Viktor B Laiskodat made a policy regarding schools starting at 05.00 WITA for SMA/SMK in Kupang City. However, due to the many rejections from residents, the policy changed from 05.00 WITA to 05.30 WITA.