Children Starting Elementary School at 8 Years Old Due to Distance and Terrain: Galunggung Hamlet, West Java

harapanrakyat.com,- Different from the others, the age of children entering elementary school (SD) in Galunggung Hamlet, Langkaplancar Village, Langkaplancar District, Pangandaran Regency, West Java is at least 8 years old. The reason, the distance to the school is far and the terrain is steep.

Residents of Galunggung Hamlet agreed to send their children to elementary school at the age of 8. Children aged 7 years are considered too young and unable to travel long and steep distances to school.

The head of the local RT, Dedih, revealed that the distance from the school building to the residents’ settlements is about 3 kilometers with an uphill and steep terrain.

“In other places, usually children aged 7 years have entered elementary school. But here the average is 8 years. The reason is because to go to school is far away, the road terrain is also uphill and steep,” he said, Saturday (10/06/2023).

Dedih said that his area is an isolated area, considering there is no road access for cars. Even motorbikes can only do it when the road conditions are dry. During the rainy season, residents have to walk to do their activities because motorbikes cannot enter due to slippery roads.

“So, due to various factors, the residents here agreed to send their children to elementary school at the age of 8,” he explained.

Reasons for children entering elementary school at least 8 years, Mileage 1 Hour

The children of Galunggung Hamlet usually leave every day at 06.00 WIB and arrive at school at 07.15 WIB. While the entry time starts at 07.30 WIB from the usual 07.00 WIB.

“The distance from here to school is around 60 to 75 minutes. After arriving at school, the children rest for a while before starting class,” he added.

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According to Dedih, there used to be a Madrasah Ibtidaiyah (MI) for Galunggung children to attend school. However, due to lack of students, MI moved.

“Now the residents and I don’t really expect there to be a school. But we hope that an access road will be built, so that my area can be accessed by vehicles,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, the head of Langkaplancar village, Syarif Haerul Anwar, said that his residents really need good road access. This will affect community activities, especially for school children.

The population of RT 05 is 75 families with 280 people. There are 25 children attending elementary school and this year there have been an increase of 7 people.

“Hopefully the Pangandaran Regency Government will soon build an access road,” he said.

Syarif recounted the saddest condition when there were residents who were sick or pregnant women who were about to give birth had to be stretchered. Given that vehicles cannot enter residential areas. (Enceng/R9/HR-Online/Editor-Dadang)