Makassar, NU Online
Educational activities in schools came to a standstill in Takalar, South Sulawesi, over the last two days following a strike by thousands of teachers over the sentencing of one of their colleagues.
Some 4,000 teachers agreed to strike to show their solidarity and support for Syamsuddin, a teacher at a Mangarabombang State Junior High School, SMP I, who was sentenced Tuesday to three months in prison and fined Rp 5 million (US$526.31).<>
Syamsuddin was given the option of foregoing the fine in exchange for an additional month in prison.
The teacher was found guilty in Takalar District Court of slapping a student in the face after she called him "a son of a bitch". The student had reacted to being reprimanded for playing a guitar in class, which Syamsuddin said had disturbed other students.
The verdict was protested by the regency's teachers, who said Syamsuddin committed the offense in an attempt to discipline the student, who had disrespected him.
Most students were sent home early Wednesday and Thursday. Teachers also went to school, but refrained from engaging in teaching activities in defiance of a circular from the Association of Indonesian Teachers (PGRI), which urged them to end the strike.
The PGRI issued the circular after learning that Syamsuddin had accepted the court's verdict and did not wish to appeal.
"We will continue the strike until Saturday to attract the government's attention to the unfair verdict. If we stop the strike, there will be more students who will humiliate their teachers because they will feel they are protected by the law," said Muhammad Bakri, a teacher on strike.
The head of PGRI's Takalar chapter, Zulkarnain, said his association could not appeal to the South Sulawesi High Court because Syamsuddin had already decided not to appeal.
"The strike was in support of Syamsuddin's effort to appeal, but because he himself has already decided to accept the verdict, the strike should be stopped," Zulkarnain said, adding that it is feared a prolonged strike could burden students, especially third graders, who are to participate in national exams next month.
He said an extended strike could impact on students' grades because they would be unable to receive much-needed lessons.
Meanwhile, Syamsuddin confirmed Thursday that he had accepted the verdict and was prepared to pay the fine. "I honestly accept the verdict. I don't want to appeal. I take pity to the students who cannot attend school. I submit to my fate because I trust God the Almighty," he said.
"My relatives decided to contribute (to the fines) after learning I could not afford to pay them. My salary as a teacher is not enough," he said.
Syamsuddin said he appreciated the show of solidarity by his colleagues, but urged them to end their strike for the sake of the 52,000 students in the regency. He also asked the striking teachers to respect his decision not to appeal.
"I hope this will become a good lesson and at the same time the first and last case of its kind," he said.
Syamsuddin was tried at the local district court after the student's father, Alwi Rahman, reported him to police. (tjp/dar)
Educational activities in schools came to a standstill in Takalar, South Sulawesi, over the last two days following a strike by thousands of teachers over the sentencing of one of their colleagues.
Some 4,000 teachers agreed to strike to show their solidarity and support for Syamsuddin, a teacher at a Mangarabombang State Junior High School, SMP I, who was sentenced Tuesday to three months in prison and fined Rp 5 million (US$526.31).<>
Syamsuddin was given the option of foregoing the fine in exchange for an additional month in prison.
The teacher was found guilty in Takalar District Court of slapping a student in the face after she called him "a son of a bitch". The student had reacted to being reprimanded for playing a guitar in class, which Syamsuddin said had disturbed other students.
The verdict was protested by the regency's teachers, who said Syamsuddin committed the offense in an attempt to discipline the student, who had disrespected him.
Most students were sent home early Wednesday and Thursday. Teachers also went to school, but refrained from engaging in teaching activities in defiance of a circular from the Association of Indonesian Teachers (PGRI), which urged them to end the strike.
The PGRI issued the circular after learning that Syamsuddin had accepted the court's verdict and did not wish to appeal.
"We will continue the strike until Saturday to attract the government's attention to the unfair verdict. If we stop the strike, there will be more students who will humiliate their teachers because they will feel they are protected by the law," said Muhammad Bakri, a teacher on strike.
The head of PGRI's Takalar chapter, Zulkarnain, said his association could not appeal to the South Sulawesi High Court because Syamsuddin had already decided not to appeal.
"The strike was in support of Syamsuddin's effort to appeal, but because he himself has already decided to accept the verdict, the strike should be stopped," Zulkarnain said, adding that it is feared a prolonged strike could burden students, especially third graders, who are to participate in national exams next month.
He said an extended strike could impact on students' grades because they would be unable to receive much-needed lessons.
Meanwhile, Syamsuddin confirmed Thursday that he had accepted the verdict and was prepared to pay the fine. "I honestly accept the verdict. I don't want to appeal. I take pity to the students who cannot attend school. I submit to my fate because I trust God the Almighty," he said.
"My relatives decided to contribute (to the fines) after learning I could not afford to pay them. My salary as a teacher is not enough," he said.
Syamsuddin said he appreciated the show of solidarity by his colleagues, but urged them to end their strike for the sake of the 52,000 students in the regency. He also asked the striking teachers to respect his decision not to appeal.
"I hope this will become a good lesson and at the same time the first and last case of its kind," he said.
Syamsuddin was tried at the local district court after the student's father, Alwi Rahman, reported him to police. (tjp/dar)
