High school students in Banten who smoke will be punished, JPPI suggests prioritizing coaching

Jakarta – A learner at SMAN 1 Cimarga, Lebak Regency was slapped by the principal after he was caught smoking at school. The Indonesian Education Monitoring Network (JPPI) proposed educational sanctions. “Appropriate sanctions must prioritize restorative and educational approaches, such as special assistance and intensive counseling, counseling and education programs, the holding of family counseling sessions to align prevention efforts at school and at home,” said Ubaid Matraji, national coordinator of the JPPI, on Thursday (16/10/2025). SCROLL TO CONTINUE CONTENT According to him, the physical punishment approach, such as that used by the Principal of SMAN 1 Cimarga, has proven to be ineffective and in fact perpetuates the cycle of violence. Ubaid added that physical punishment only promotes feelings of revenge, fear and resistance, not awareness and repentance. “Sanctions aimed at coaching and intensive psychosocial intervention are key to stopping the smoking habit and preventing other offending behaviors on an ongoing basis,” explained Ubaid. Teachers, Ubaid said, must be able to embrace and invite students to become ‘learning friends’. “This concept is very essential. Schools should not position themselves as prisons, but as learning communities,” he continued. Earlier, the principal of SMAN 1 Cimarga, Dini Fitria, and the student he slapped for being caught smoking at the school reconciled. Banten Governor Andra Soni also revoked Dini Fitria’s temporary deactivation status as principal. Andra has now handed over the sanctions for students who smoke at school to SMAN 1 Cimarga. “It will be school policy later. You can get a warning letter, or disciplinary sanctions such as doing additional lesson assignments,” Andra said at the Banten Governor’s Office, Serang City. (isa/yangs)