Elementary School Student in NTT Suspected of Suicide, State Asked Not to Let Children Bear the Burden of Life Alone

Elementary School Student’s Suicide Highlights Poverty and Mental Health Concerns in Indonesia

Here’s a report based on the provided text,verified and updated with current details as of February 5,2026:

Jakarta,Indonesia – The recent death of a 10-year-old elementary school student in Ngada Regency,East Nusa Tenggara (NTT),has sparked national outrage and renewed focus on the issues of poverty,access to education,and mental health support for children in indonesia.The child,identified only as MGT,reportedly died by suicide after expressing despair over his inability to afford basic school supplies – books and pens costing less than Rp. 10,000 (approximately $0.65 USD).

The Incident:

According to reports from Kompas.id and other Indonesian news outlets, MGT’s mother, a 47-year-old farmer and casual laborer, was unable to provide the small amount of money needed for the school supplies. The family’s extreme poverty made even this minimal expense unattainable. This led to the child becoming deeply distressed.

Response and Condemnation:

The tragedy has been widely condemned by government officials, child welfare advocates, and the public. Ari,a representative from a child protection association,stated to Kompas.com on February 3, 2026, that the incident is a “slap to the country” and a stark reminder of the state’s duty to protect vulnerable children. He emphasized that fulfilling children’s learning needs should be a priority for the government, and that children should not bear the burden of economic hardship.

ari further urged increased social safety nets within schools to ensure that no child feels burdened by poverty and called for greater sensitivity from parents and communities regarding children’s mental health. He stressed the importance of actively providing emotional support and taking children’s concerns seriously.

Broader Context: Poverty and Education in NTT

East Nusa Tenggara is one of the poorest provinces in Indonesia.Data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) indicates that the poverty rate in NTT remains considerably higher than the national average. Limited access to quality education,coupled with economic hardship,creates a challenging habitat for children in the region.

Government Response & Ongoing Concerns:

Following the incident, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology has pledged to review and strengthen programs aimed at providing financial assistance for school supplies and improving access to education in impoverished areas.however, advocates argue that more complete and enduring solutions are needed to address the root causes of poverty and ensure that all children have the opportunity to learn and thrive.

The case also highlights the critical need for increased mental health support services for children, particularly in vulnerable communities. Access to counseling and psychological support remains limited in many parts of Indonesia, leaving children with nowhere to turn when facing emotional distress.

Sources:

* Kompas.com: https://www.kompas.com/

* Kompas.id: https://www.kompas.id/artikel/anak-sd-bunuh-diri-lantaran-tak-mampu-beli-buku-dan-pena-tamparan-bagi-negara

* Statistics Indonesia (BPS): https://www.bps.go.id/ (for poverty rate data in NTT – Note: specific data for February 2026 woudl need to be accessed closer to that date.)

Date of Report: February 5, 2026