Do Not Start School Before SDN Gentong Students Recover From Trauma

Photo illustration (Ramadhan Notonegoro / Pixabay)

PASURUAN - The catastrophic collapse of the roof of SDN Gentong, Gading Rejo, Pasuruan caused a teacher and one student to die. Another eleven were treated for injuries. Now, another thing that needs to be highlighted is the handling of trauma to survivors, especially children.

Irza Almira, a class II-A (8) student and her teacher, Sefina Arsi Wijaya (19) died in the disaster. According to the testimony of Anti, a teacher who was teaching class II-B, the roof of the classroom gradually collapsed starting from the south side.

"Suddenly there was a sound like a tsunami. The collapse was running from the south," he was quoted as saying by Detikcom, Wednesday (6/11/2019).

Several eyewitnesses expressed the same shock. Most of them did not think that the roof could collapse. Budi Santoso, a school janitor described the outbreak of screams and cries when students and teachers rushed out of the classroom.

Ahmad Eksan, a local resident, revealed that at least 13 people were trapped in the rubble of the roof. "I helped earlier. There were about 13 who could not get out. Then they were helped," he explained.

Head of the Basic Education Section of the Pasuruan City Education Office, Firman said that schools would be closed for four days. Monday 11 November 2019, teaching and learning activities will begin to be active again.

"Closed until Saturday. Sundays are automatically off. Mondays are active again," said Firman.

Regarding the collapse of the roof in four classrooms, the Pasuruan City Education Office will coordinate with relevant authorities to find solutions to the problem of replacing student learning spaces.

Treating trauma

Forensic clinical psychologist Kasandra Putranto highlighted the approach to treating trauma victims, especially children. And that approach is no joke.

The authorities should facilitate psychological examinations in addition to medical examinations. Each victim has to go through a psychological examination to find out the level of trauma each one has.

"Everyone has a different psychological profile that determines resistance to stress," said Kasandra when contacted by VOI, Wednesday (6/11/2019).

"There must be an assessment first ... Then the intervention steps will be drawn up. No matter how long it takes is very relative. It depends on the assessment results," he added.

According to Kasandra, the authorities should not only focus on restoring teaching and learning activities, but also on the obligation to regain a sense of security for the victims. There is no bargaining about that.

Without trauma recovery, students will not be able to regain a sense of security. And without a sense of security, it is impossible for a quality teaching and learning process to be realized.

"Of course, it is very important (trauma recovery). We hope that in the teaching and learning process of Indonesian children, the security element and avoiding things like this can be confirmed," said Kasandra.