In a powerful collective stand against bullying, 150 students from SMK Bopkri 1 Kota Yogyakarta actively participated in the campaign event “Together We Can: Stop Bullying, Build a Safe School Environment” on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. The event, held in the school hall, successfully raised awareness and equipped students with practical skills to become agents of change in their school community.
Addressing a Pressing Issue
The event was initiated in response to concerning data. According to the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), 37% of high school/vocational school students in the region reported experiencing some form of bullying—verbal, social, physical, or cyber. The campaign aimed to transform students from passive bystanders into proactive upstanders.
Interactive Sessions and Practical Learning
The two-hour session was packed with engaging activities designed for maximum impact:
- Understanding Bullying:The event opened with crucial material presented by Endang Z, who explained the various forms of bullying—physical, verbal, social, and cyber—and its profound long-term impacts on mental health and academic performance.
- Group Discussions:Facilitated by a team of 10 group facilitators, students engaged in deep discussions, sharing perspectives and brainstorming real-world solutions to bullying scenarios.
- Action Plan Presentations:The highlight was the presentation of simple, actionable anti-bullying plans created by the students themselves. Three groups were selected as the best based on their innovative ideas and presentations.
- Collective Commitment:The event culminated in a joint declaration led by the MC, Sekar Naffa, where all 150 participants pledged their commitment to creating a safer and more comfortable school environment.
Tangible Outcomes and Appreciation
The event yielded significant outputs, moving beyond theory to practical application. Ten concrete anti-bullying action plans were developed by student groups. The most active participants were rewarded with tumblers, acknowledging their exceptional engagement.
“Bullying doesn’t just hurt the victim; it damages our entire school community’s sense of safety and comfort. Today, we learned that everyone has a role. We can choose to be upstanders—by speaking up, supporting the victim, or reporting to a trusted adult,” shared one of the participating students.
A Step Towards an Empathetic School Culture
This anti-bullying campaign at SMK Bopkri 1 marks a significant step in proactive character education. By empowering students with knowledge and practical strategies, the event sowed the seeds for a more empathetic, respectful, and bully-free school culture. The commitment displayed by these 150 young upstanders promises a brighter, safer future for their educational environment.