Hazing is a big problem in Jakarta’s public schools, with new students often forced to endure humiliation and violence at the hands of their seniors.
But today, on the first day of the new school year, Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama announced a new zero-tolerance on school bullies. He said those who are caught intimidating or attacking other students, especially during the new student orientation period, will be immediately kicked out of school.
“If there are any students who are caught bullying or committing violent acts during the orientation period, they will be removed from our public schools,” Ahok said at City Hall today as quoted Kompas.
The Jakarta Education Agency has also issued circulars expressly prohibiting violence in during the student orientation period from July 27-29.
The head of the Jakarta Education Department, Arie Budiman said that, in addition to being expelled from school, students abuser will no longer be able to make use of the Jakarta Smart Card program that subsidizes school fees.
“We have to stop all deviant behavior in school. Not only related violence and bullying, but also harassment, and this not only during the orientation, but also into the future,” Arie said.
As previously reported, the new anti-bullying policy also targets principals and teachers, who could potentially lose their jobs if bullies are caught in their schools under their watch.
