Violence at schools has put educational institutions in the spotlight in recent years for their failure to create a safe environment.

However, a recent incident in Madura, East Java, has shown the deadly consequences of school violence for authority figures.

A 27-year-old art teacher died on Thursday, allegedly after receiving a blow to the back of his neck from a student. The teacher, Ahmad Budi Cahyono, died in Dr Soetomo Hospital in Surabaya after lapsing into a coma.

The student, identified only as HI, was named a suspect and charged with assault resulting in death, said Sampang Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Budi Wardiman on Saturday.

Budi, the teacher’s nickname, was an art teacher at SMA 1 Torjun state senior high school in Sampang. HI reportedly disrupted the activities of other students by painting in their books, the police said.

After several ignored warnings, Budi reportedly approached HI and smeared his cheek with paint. The student responded by hurling expletives at the teacher, who then hit him with a classroom attendance book.

HI allegedly then responded by striking a blow to Budi’s neck. Budi fell to the floor while students rushed to restrain HI.

The school sent Budi home to rest. At home, the teacher complained of constant neck pain and subsequently fell unconscious.

He was taken to a local hospital in Sampang. However, as his condition continued to decline, he was rushed to Surabaya. He died, reportedly following a blood clot to the brain, at around 9 p.m.

“He was a favorite teacher,” East Java Education Agency Syaiful Rahman said during Budi’s funeral on Friday.

The incident immediately went viral and videos of Budi’s last violin performance spread on the internet.

Viewers commented on the video, extending their condolences to Budi’s wife, who is four months pregnant with their first child.

Ahmad Budi Cahyono (tribunnews.com)

As a contract teacher, Budi received a salary of Rp 400,000 (US$29.76) a month, said Saiful.

The East Java administration has offered to cover the hospital expenses for Budi’s wife when she gives birth, and may provide their child a full educational scholarship. Saiful’s agency is also proposing that Budi be posthumously named an educational hero on Education Day in May.

Meanwhile, HI, despite the possibility of facing seven years’ imprisonment, has received assurance from authorities that he may continue his education while under police investigation.

The case has sparked fresh calls for a safe educational environment to protect both teachers and students.

The Indonesian Teacher Union Federation (FSGI) has urged the government to introduce a standard operational procedure (SOP) for when violence occurs at schools.

“The school and regional administration are obliged to take the victim to the hospital,” Heru Purnomo of the FSGI said.

Another case of teacher assault occurred in South Sulawesi in August 2016. Police detained a 15-year-old student and his father, who had reportedly beaten up a teacher, Dasrul, for scolding the student for failing to bring a drawing kit to class.

Education expert Totok Amin Soefijanto emphasized the role of parents in education, citing examples set by Ki Hadjar Dewantara, an education pioneer who introduced a philosophy of education that is centered on the school, parents and society.

“A World Bank study notes that when parents are present in a child’s education, for example by accompanying children during an examination or tutoring sessions at home, schools produce high-achieving students with good character,” he added. (gis)