by Mathias Hariyadi

The Minister for Education has threatened to suspend the courses organized by the senior students to welcome the new. Growing physical violence and evidence that endanger the health of children. Positive example the Jesuit schools: in 30 years not even one accident.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - Education Minister Muhammad Nasir has threatened to ban the orientation courses for new students conducted on college and high schools  campuses (respectively Ospek and Mos), after six students died in recent weeks in unclear circumstances.

The Ospek and Mos have been practiced in Indonesia since the 1950s. It is a combination of mental and physical exercises - including fun games - with which senior students "entertain" the latest to arrive, in a kind of admission test to the institute, which explains the "rules".

The courses are organized by student councils, subject to authorization by the institution. The programs organized by the school (Mos) - whose academic year begins mid-July - last up to a day or two, while those for the university (Ospek) are a week of events, usually held in August. From the formal point of view, each program should be supervised by the professors of the faculty / school.

 

Often, however, the teachers eave it to and students are not in any way involved in the activities, which can lead to bullying, violence, harassment and coercion to the detriment of the young people. During the days, freshmen are often forced to submit themselves to inane actions that endanger their health. Some universities allow excessive exercises, ignoring the physical condition of the students, which can lead to injury or even death.

Two weeks ago, a high school student of the Bekasi district of West Bengal died after taking part in Mos. After events like this, the Indonesian press usually lashes out for a few days against the institutions, denouncing the lack of security. But there is rarely any change.

Faced with this alarming situation in public schools, the experience of institutions run by the Jesuits stands out. Loyola High School, Central Java, has held Mos for at least 30 years and there has never een any incident of injury or death. Here too the “orientation” progams are drawn up by the student councils, under the full supervision of the general chaplain (called "moderator"). Activities are prepared with clear objectives and procedures. After five days of courses, Mos concludes with the official inauguration of the new students and a "welcome" party. Dance competitions are organized to facilitate the birth new friendships in school.

• INDONESIA
• bullying
• colleges
• orientation
• programs
• students