Bullying remains a persistent problem in Indonesia, affecting students across various educational environments, including Christian schools. The issue involves multiple actors: victims who hesitate to report due to shame and peer pressure, perpetrators who often evade serious punishment, and witnesses who stay silent. Schools themselves frequently fail to take decisive action against bullying.
In response, a team of students from Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana (UKDW) in Yogyakarta has developed an innovative solution: an Anti-Bullying E-Report system for Christian schools. The team, led by Amelia Marilda from the Humanities Program, includes Michelle Angelina Tjandra Mulyadi (Humanities Studies), Yogi Evan Dwi Kristantyo (Information Systems), and Geofani Mikhael Joseph Setiawan (Humanities Studies).
Amelia Marilda explained that the web-based Anti-Bullying E-Report provides an anonymous communication channel for students experiencing bullying. This system is linked to the Christian Education Council, allowing it to monitor and address bullying cases in schools. It also serves as a performance evaluation tool for school staff in handling these incidents.
“The Anti-Bullying E-Report is designed for transparency, enabling the public to access information on bullying cases and their handling in Christian schools within their region. The public can also view school rankings based on bullying cases,” Marilda said.
Under the guidance of Vania Sharleen Setyono, M.Si.Teol., a lecturer in the Department of Humanities Studies at UKDW, the team secured funding through the 2024 Student Creativity Program – Futuristic Idea Video Scheme (PKM-VGK), organized by the Directorate General of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) RI. Their proposal, titled “Design of an E-Report System for Christian Schools in Indonesia to Reduce Bullying Cases in Schools.”
Next, the team will create a video detailing the E-Report system’s features, user impact, implementation in schools, and bullying case data.
“We initially doubted our PKM-VGK team would get the funding. Thanks to our supervisor and academic advisor’s support, we reached the proposal submission stage. Praise God, our efforts paid off. This is just the beginning; we must complete the project. I believe that God, who has brought us this far, will continue to guide us,” said Amel, the team leader.
Vania Sharleen Setyono, M.Si.Teol., expressed gratitude and surprise at receiving the PKM-VGK funding, especially as the Department of Humanities Studies is new at UKDW, with the involved students being from the 2023 intake. “Initially, I had low expectations, considering this was our first attempt and the students were only in their first year. Our goal was simply to seize the opportunity, face the challenge, and do our best. Hopefully, our proposal and idea design will impact society by reducing bullying cases in Christian schools in Indonesia,” she said.
With this project, UKDW aims to contribute to reducing bullying cases in Christian schools in Indonesia, reflecting UKDW’s commitment to service to the world. [humasukdw/trans.drr]