Teacher attacked by students at Indonesian vocational school after reprimand turns violent

INDONESIA: An English teacher at a vocational high school in Indonesia’s Jambi province was assaulted by a group of students after a classroom reprimand escalated into violence.

The incident has raised concerns about school safety and discipline following the circulation of viral video footage.

The incident took place on the morning of Tuesday, 13 January 2026, at a vocational school in East Tanjung Jabung district, located on the eastern coast of Sumatra.

The teacher involved, Agus Saputra, said the confrontation began when he reprimanded a student for using inappropriate language on school grounds.

According to Agus, the student responded with further offensive remarks.

He said he interpreted the response as a provocation and admitted that he reflexively slapped the student once, an action that triggered retaliation from other students.

“That was reflex, one slap. That was the beginning,” Agus said during a clarification session at the Jambi Provincial Education Office on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, according to Indonesian media reports.

Assault captured in viral footage

Agus said the situation continued to deteriorate throughout the school day. Initial mediation reportedly took place in a room equipped with CCTV cameras, but tensions escalated again after students gathered outside.

He said students from multiple year levels became involved and assaulted him.

“I was assaulted. The video went viral. Many students were involved, from first, second, and third year,” Agus said, as quoted by local media.

Video footage widely shared on social media shows students shouting insults and threats at the teacher.

Some students are heard warning that they would block his way home, fuelling public concern about the seriousness of the incident.

Use of sickle raises public concern

A separate viral clip shows Agus holding a sickle while standing on a grassy field on the school grounds.

In the footage, he is seen briefly chasing students who continue shouting and throwing stones.

Agus denied any intention to harm the students. He said the sickle was used solely to deter further attacks and protect himself from injury.

“I had no intention of hurting anyone. I carried it to scare them and defend myself so the assault would not happen again,” he said during the clarification session.

He added that the sickle was not brought from home. According to Agus, it was part of agricultural training equipment kept at the school, along with tools such as hoes used in vocational classes.

“Thank God nothing happened. I would think ten times before harming a student,” said Agus, who has worked as a teacher for more than 15 years.

Authorities intervene as mediation begins

Jambi Governor Al Haris condemned the violence, describing it as a serious blow to the education sector.

According to statements reported by Indonesian media, he said the provincial government had deployed a team from the Education Office to handle the case.

The governor stressed that violence has no place in schools and said the incident should serve as a lesson for strengthening discipline, conflict resolution, and teacher protection in educational institutions.

The school’s principal, Ranto M, confirmed the assault and said mediation efforts involved local government officials, police, military representatives, and the school committee. He said the situation at the school had since stabilised.

Ranto added that classes had resumed and teaching activities were continuing as normal. He said the school was cooperating with authorities to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Despite being assaulted, Agus said he was hesitant to file a police report against the students.

He cited concerns about their psychological wellbeing and long-term prospects.

“I get chills thinking about reporting this to the police. They are my students, still in school and psychologically in need of guidance,” he said.

Agus also said he did not attend a mediation session organised by the school and local authorities because he had not received guarantees regarding his personal safety.

He said he chose instead to report directly to the provincial education office.

“I asked for a safety guarantee, but no one dared to guarantee it. That’s why I decided to go to the education office to clarify,” he said.

He rejected allegations circulating online that he had insulted students based on their economic background.

Agus said his comments were intended as general motivation about discipline and future prospects, not personal attacks.

“There was no intention to mock or insult. It was general motivation, not directed at any specific student,” he said.

He added that he was prepared to be reassigned or transferred if students no longer felt comfortable with him teaching at the school. “If they don’t want me back, I am ready to move schools for their comfort and my safety,” he said.