Deaths of Two Students Highlight Rise in Violence in Indonesian Schools

The recent deaths of two elementary school students in Riau and South Sulawesi in Indonesia, reportedly due to bullying, highlight the alarming prevalence of violence in schools and the government's failure to ensure safe learning environments for children.

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JAKARTA -

Eight-year-old Khris Topel Butarbutar died on May 26, allegedly after being beaten by older students at a state elementary school in Indragiri Hulu Regency, Riau.

According to his father Gimson Butarbutar, the second-grader began complaining of a fever and stomach pain on May 20, a day after he returned home early from school because his bicycle tires had been deflated by older students.

"He didn't initially tell me what was making him sick, but when I spoke to his friends, they said he had been beaten by four older students about a week earlier," Mr Gimson said on June 8, as quoted by Kompas. "When I asked Khris about it, he confirmed it. He said he had been bullied for some time because of his religion and ethnicity," he added.

According to Mr Gimson, Khris was admitted to the hospital shortly afterwards, where he suffered seizures and began bleeding from his mouth and ears. His condition continued to deteriorate until he eventually died.