Community
Elementary school in Indonesia sparks outrage after student forced to sit on floor over unpaid tuition fees
An elementary student in Medan was allegedly punished by being made to sit on the floor due to three months of unpaid tuition fees. The incident sparked widespread condemnation after a video of the mother confronting the teacher went viral on social media.

NORTH SUMATRA, INDONESIA: A Grade IV student at the Abdi Sukma Foundation Elementary School in Medan was allegedly punished by being made to sit on the floor during lessons due to three months of unpaid tuition fees.
The incident came to light after a video of the boy’s mother confronting the teacher went viral on social media, sparking widespread condemnation.
The student, identified by the initials MI, reportedly faced the punishment beginning on 6 January.
His mother, Kamelia (38), only discovered the situation on 8 January after MI refused to attend school due to embarrassment.
Shocked by her son’s treatment, Kamelia visited the school and found MI sitting on the floor during lessons.
“He cried when he wanted to go to school. He cried and said, ‘Mom, I’m embarrassed to sit on the floor.’ He didn’t want to go to school because he was ashamed. Where is your compassion, Miss? How can a child like this be made to bear such humiliation?” Kamelia said to the teacher.
“If he didn’t do his homework, I wouldn’t be angry if he were punished. Even if he were told to pick up trash, I wouldn’t mind. If he were pinched, I wouldn’t complain. But punishing him by making him study on the floor just because he hasn’t paid his tuition fees—where is your sense of compassion?” she added.
Sudah 3 Hari Seorang siswa SD Yayasan Abdi Sukma di Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara dihukum mengikuti pembelajaran dengan duduk di lantai karena menunggak SPP
Pemerintah wajib menindak tegas sekolah2 Swasta yang menghinaati UUD45!! pic.twitter.com/RlHy8kqUmq
— Miss Tweet | (@Heraloebss) January 11, 2025
Financially Struggling Family
Kamelia revealed that her family has been struggling financially.
Her husband, a migrant construction worker, is often absent, and the family depends on financial assistance, such as the Indonesia Smart Card (KIP), to cover school expenses.
However, delays in KIP fund disbursement have left her unable to pay the overdue tuition fees, which had accumulated to three months.
“So far, my child’s school fees have been covered by BOS (School Operational Assistance) and KIP funds. When the KIP is disbursed, I use the Rp450,000 (S$37,96) entirely for school fees. I never use it for anything else,” Kamelia explained.
Unfortunately, the KIP funds have not been disbursed, leaving her unable to settle her child’s tuition fees.
Adding to her challenges, Kamelia is battling an illness that requires surgery, further straining the family’s finances.
During the school holidays, a WhatsApp group announcement warned that students with unpaid fees would not be permitted to attend classes.
Kamelia initially dismissed the message as merely formal, only to find the rule enforced when classes resumed on 6 January.
Believing the teacher’s actions to be excessive, Kamelia plans to transfer MI to another school unless the homeroom teacher is dismissed.
“If she remains there, my child will be traumatised, and his learning process will be disrupted,” she said.
She expressed hope that this incident would serve as a lesson for all parties.
“My child just wants to learn. Please don’t treat other children like this,” she concluded.
Netizens Condemn Teacher’s Actions
The video has triggered widespread criticism on social media. On X (formerly Twitter), many users voiced their disapproval, questioning the teacher’s approach and urging a more compassionate handling of the situation.
One netizen commented that the teacher’s actions were cruel, suggesting that the child should not have been punished for the parents’ inability to pay.
The netizen suggested calling the parents to school or offering a subsidy if they truly could not afford the fees, instead of humiliating the child. Schools, they argued, should teach good manners and morals.
Another user described the incident as institutional bullying by the school, stating that it could harm the child’s mental health.
The netizen emphasised that this was not education but formalised bullying, calling for social sanctions against those responsible for the decision.
A similar sentiment was shared by another netizen, who remarked that children should not be punished for their parents’ mistakes.
They stated that if parents were overdue in payments, the school should summon them or visit their home rather than punishing the child.
If the parents truly could not pay, the school should find a solution instead of humiliating the student.
Some users stressed the need for immediate action, arguing that even if parents had not paid tuition for three months, the school should act with honour and morality rather than humiliating the student.
They called on education authorities to take firm steps against the school to prevent such incidents in the future.
However, one netizen offered a more nuanced perspective, suggesting that the school might have faced financial pressures as a private institution where salaries and operational costs depend heavily on tuition fees.
While this might explain the teacher’s actions, they added, the punishment was still excessive and inappropriate.
Minister of Education Urges Schools to Uphold Educational Values
The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen), Abdul Mu’ti, addressed the controversy involving a private elementary school student in Medan who was allegedly punished by being made to study on the floor due to unpaid tuition fees.
Mu’ti emphasised the importance of adhering to educational values when enforcing discipline in schools.
“In the future, we ask that schools, both state and private, refrain from using disciplinary methods, whether academic or administrative, that are contrary to educational values,” Mu’ti said on Monday (13 Jan).
He stressed that education must be conducted with integrity and respect.
“Education must be a process that honours students, teachers, and knowledge,” he stated.
Mu’ti added that punishing a student by making them study on the floor does not align with the principles of respecting educational values.
The minister shared that the North Sumatra Education Quality Assurance Centre had informed him that the issue had been resolved.
Both parties involved had reportedly agreed on a solution. “The problem is considered resolved, and a solution has been reached that is acceptable to both sides,” he said.
Teacher Sanctioned
In response to the controversy, the chairman of the foundation overseeing the school confirmed that the homeroom teacher involved had been sanctioned and suspended.
Speaking to detikNews on Tuesday (14 Jan), the chairman explained, “We sent the teacher home first, to calm down.”
The teacher was instructed to take leave starting Monday (13 Jan) until the situation stabilises.
“We have also imposed sanctions. After the incident went viral, the situation became unsettled. So, I decided the teacher should rest at home starting Monday until conditions are calm and conducive. Further decisions will be announced later,” he added.

-
Politics2 weeks ago
Li Shengwu recounts govt harassment, urges the public to fight instead of relying on others for justice
-
Opinion3 days ago
Shanmugam’s call to avoid politicising Nee Soon’s kickback case exposes hypocrisy given his 2015 attack on WP
-
Politics4 days ago
Shanmugam defends response in kickback scandal at Nee Soon Town Council
-
Singapore4 days ago
SM Lee urges Singaporeans to embrace new citizens for national unity during Chinese New Year speech
-
Opinion2 weeks ago
Contradictions in PM Wong’s claim on BTO pricing and HDB’s policies
-
Opinion1 week ago
Revisiting HDB ownership: Are flat buyers owners or long-term lessees?
-
Opinion2 weeks ago
Li Shengwu’s comments put the spotlight back on Lucien Wong’s controversial appointment
-
Letters1 week ago
An open letter to the PAP: Losing trust and the disconnect with the people