Education Alarm Sounds: National Journalists Forum Urges Government To Take Action

FWK Discussion (Photo: Doc. VOI)

JAKARTA The National Journalists Forum (FWK) reminded the government under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto to immediately make a comprehensive improvement to the world of education. The alarm of danger, they said, has been heard everywhere.

"What happens if the teacher no longer has authority and is not trusted by the students? This is a big problem," said one of the founders of FWK, Hendry Ch. Bangun, during the FWK Weekly Discussion at the VOI office, Central Jakarta, Friday afternoon, October 17, 2025.

The discussion, which was led by the National Coordinator of FWK Raja Parlindungan Pane, was attended by a number of senior journalists caring for nationality such as M. Iqbal Irsyad, Berman Nainggolan L. Radja, Dr. Budi Nugraha, Herwan Pebriansyah, M. Herry Sinamarata, and AR Loebis.

They agreed that the government needed to intervene immediately to improve the education ecosystem, both from teaching systems, teacher protection, and students' character.

Education Alarms Are Clear

The latest case came from SMAN 1 Cimarga, Lebak, Banten, where 630 students went on strike after a teacher was attached to a student caught smoking at school.

Although the school stated that all students had returned to study on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, this incident was considered a serious sign of the weak relationship between teachers and students.

"It's already heard. The government must rise seriously to improve the world of education," said Hendry.

He reminded that if teachers go on strike, then Indonesian education will face a severe moral and professional crisis.

Evaluation Of How To Teach And Discipline

King Parlindungan Pane assessed that evaluating the teacher's way of working was urgent. "Is the way of teaching is correct? Is the way to give punishment appropriate? This all needs to be seen," he said.

The opinion was shared by AR Loebis, who emphasized the importance of the government hearing student complaints without denying the position of teacher. What needs to be built is the two-way trust between teacher and student," he said.

Education Needs Assessment And Expertity

Iqbal Irsyad, the Editor-in-Chief of VOI who comes from the educator family, emphasized that teachers who have teacher education are equipped with pedagogical knowledge and know how to instill a good character in students.

"The problem lies with teachers who do not have an educational knowledge basis. This must also be considered," he said.

Meanwhile, Nasir, a senior journalist from the former Kompas Daily, added the importance of parents' role in educating children to respect teachers and obey school rules.

Administrative Crisis

Several cases of teacher violence showed worrying symptoms: a teacher in Pekanbaru was abused by his students because of grades, teachers in Bandung were reported to the police on unproven immoral charges, and a student in Jakarta fought his teacher until the video went viral on social media.

"All this is a strong warning. The government must not remain silent. Education is not just a curriculum, but also a matter of respect and humanity," said Hendry Ch. Bangun.