JAKARTA: A junior high school student in Grobogan, Central Java, has died after allegedly being assaulted by his classmates, once again highlighting the government's failure to address bullying and violence in Indonesia’s schools.
Twelve-year-old Angga Bagus Perwira was found dead in his classroom at SMPN 1 Geyer Junior High School, Grobogan, Central Java, on Saturday (Oct 11) at around 11am.
According to his classmates, Angga had been involved in two separate altercations with peers earlier that day, before experiencing seizures and ultimately passing away. His grandfather, Pujiyo, said that an autopsy revealed multiple injuries, particularly to Angga’s head.
"Forensic doctors found a concussion on both sides of his head, a blood clot in his brain and a fracture at the base of his neck," Pujiyo said on Sunday, as quoted by Kompas.com. Angga, the eldest of two siblings, had been raised by his grandparents since childhood.
According to Pujiyo, Angga had repeatedly complained about being both physically and verbally bullied by his classmates in the weeks leading up to his death.
“Before the incident, Angga had fallen ill due to the constant mocking and physical abuse he faced at school,” Pujiyo said.
“At one point, he was too afraid to attend classes. He only agreed to go back after we reported the bullying to the school.”
Despite the complaint, however, Pujiyo said the school failed to take meaningful action and properly monitor the situation, allowing the bullying to continue. Pujiyo said he had filed a report with the police and expressed hope that justice would be served for Angga.
“The law must be enforced as fairly and firmly as possible, so there’s a deterrent effect,” he said. Adj Comr Rizky Ari Budianto, head of the criminal investigation unit at the Grobogan Police, said authorities are investigating the alleged bullying that led to Angga’s death.
“We have questioned several witnesses, including the victim’s classmates and teachers,” Rizky said.
Habib Syarief, a member of the House of Representatives Commission X overseeing education and youth affairs, has called on the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology to sanction schools that fail to protect students from bullying.
“We are deeply concerned about Angga’s death. It is a tragedy not only for his family but also for the nation,” Syarief said on Monday, as quoted by Antara.
“This case must be thoroughly investigated, and anyone found to have been involved and anyone who allowed it to happen must face consequences. The school principal must also be held accountable for failing to provide a safe educational environment,” he added.
Syarief emphasised that schools must be safe and comfortable spaces for learning, free from all forms of bullying and violence. He also stressed the importance of vigilance and sensitivity from school authorities toward early signs of bullying within the educational environment to help prevent such incidents before they escalate.
Angga’s death came less than two weeks after a similar incident in Wonosobo regency, Central Java, where a nine-year-old elementary school student died after allegedly being assaulted by his classmates.
The victim was reportedly struck in the stomach by his peers and died several days later following surgery to remove blood and fluid from his lungs. Police are currently investigating the case.
On Sept 29, a 13-year-old junior high school student from West Pesisir, Lampung, died after being stabbed multiple times with a pair of scissors by another student inside a classroom.
Earlier this year, in May and June, two elementary school students in Riau and South Sulawesi also lost their lives in separate bullying-related incidents.
Khris Topel Butarbutar, 8, died on May 26 after allegedly being beaten by older students at SD Negeri 12 Buluh Rampai in Indragiri Hulu Regency, Riau. Less than a week later, 15-year-old Muhammad Raja Afnan, a student at SD Negeri Maccini Sawah in Makassar, South Sulawesi, also died after reportedly being assaulted by three of his classmates.
Data from the Network for Education Watch Indonesia (JPPI) shows a rising trend in reports of bullying in educational institutions over recent years.
Last year, the JPPI recorded a total of 573 bullying cases in schools and Islamic boarding schools nationwide, more than double the 285 cases reported the previous year.
Meanwhile, the KPAI reported that in 2024, approximately 21,000 children fell victim to violence, a 34 per cent increase from the previous year. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
