Jaga Adik Gizi Buruk, Siswi SMP Diminta Keluar Dari Sekolah

Summary

A student from SMP Negeri in Brebes, Central Java, was advised by her school to drop out due to frequent absences from school while caring for her malnourished sibling and lacking transportation and pocket money. However, the school clarified that they never intended to expel her but suggested transferring to a nearby school to reduce travel costs. The case raised concerns about children's right to education, with the KPAI (Indonesian Child Protection Commission) intervening to ensure the child’s access to education. Eventually, the student was transferred to a closer school in Tegal, with the local government offering support to cover all expenses.

Takeaways

• 😀 A student in Brebes, Central Java, was asked to withdraw from school due to frequent absences caused by caring for a malnourished sibling and financial difficulties, including a lack of transportation and pocket money.
• 😀 The school, SMP Negeri 1 Wanasari, did not force the student to leave, but instead suggested transferring to a closer school to reduce travel costs and facilitate better attendance.
• 😀 The principal, Pak Agung Supriyadi, clarified that the student's family did not owe any significant school fees, despite initial reports stating otherwise. The school fees were much lower than initially mentioned.
• 😀 The school's intention was not to expel the student, but rather to help by offering options like transferring to a nearby school, ensuring the student continued their education despite financial constraints.
• 😀 The student’s family had not informed the school of a relocation, leading to misunderstandings about the student’s absences, with the last attendance recorded around November.
• 😀 KPAI (Indonesian Child Protection Commission) emphasized that children's right to education is a fundamental obligation under Indonesian law, and steps must be taken to prevent children from dropping out of school.
• 😀 According to KPAI's Aris Adi Laksono, the school should have explored alternative educational options, such as distance learning, especially for students with family-related issues.
• 😀 KPAI suggested that the school could have identified the student's challenges earlier by checking on her situation at the start of the school year and offering local schooling options from the beginning.
• 😀 After extensive coordination, the student was successfully transferred to a school in Tegal, which was closer and more affordable, ensuring her continued education.
• 😀 Both the school and KPAI stressed the importance of collaboration with local governments and educational authorities to ensure no child is left behind, highlighting a cooperative effort to maintain the student's education.

Q & A

What was the primary issue faced by the student in the transcript?

The student was facing financial difficulties, which led to her irregular attendance at school. She was also caring for her malnourished sibling and lacked money for transportation and pocket money.

How did the school address the student's situation?

The school did not force the student to drop out. Instead, they offered to transfer her to a closer school to reduce transportation costs. The school also waived her school fees and provided support through home visits by the guidance counselor.

What did the family claim regarding the student's situation?

The family claimed that they were asked to withdraw the student from school due to her inability to attend regularly because of financial constraints. They stated there was a misunderstanding or miscommunication about the situation.

What role did the KPAI (Indonesian Child Protection Commission) play in this situation?

KPAI emphasized that education is a right for every child, according to Indonesian law. They provided guidance on how the school should handle the case and stressed the importance of preventing children from dropping out of school. They also facilitated communication between the local government and the family.

What did the school suggest as a solution to the student's financial issue?

The school suggested transferring the student to a nearby school to reduce transportation costs. They also waived all school-related fees and ensured the family would not incur any additional costs.

How did the student's attendance affect the school’s response?

The student’s irregular attendance, which had been ongoing for several months, led to the school's decision to conduct home visits to understand the reasons behind her absence. The school discovered that the family could not afford transportation, prompting the suggestion of transferring her to a closer school.

What were the options presented to the student’s family for continuing her education?

The school offered the option of transferring the student to a nearby school, specifically in Tegal, which would reduce travel expenses. The family was also informed that the student would not incur any further school fees.

What is the perspective of KPAI regarding the actions of the school?

KPAI viewed the actions of the school as somewhat misaligned with the proper approach. They suggested that the school should have explored other options like distance learning or provided more consistent support to prevent the student from being at risk of dropping out.

How did the local government respond to the situation?

The local government, including the mayor of Tegal, took quick action by facilitating the student’s transfer to a school closer to her home. The mayor and the education department waived all costs related to the student’s schooling.

What lesson does this case teach about communication between schools and families?

This case highlights the importance of clear communication between schools and families. Misunderstandings regarding the student’s status and financial situation led to confusion, emphasizing the need for better coordination and support in addressing issues that may affect a student's education.