SCRATCHING AND CONVOY, AN OVERFLOWING HAPPINESS OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN INDONESIA

This April, the various media in Indonesia highlighted the world of education, especially high school level because the month coincided with the announcement of graduation. Almost every year, high school students in Indonesia commit scratching and motorcycle convoy to overflow the joy of their graduation.

As a culture-like habit that has been attached to the teenager, scratching and convoy almost always become a moment awaited by the students. Armed with spray paint, uniforms, and motorcycles, many students who have followed their final exam tensely await the announcement of their graduation. Later on, they will continue their successful with the action of scratching and convoy on the highway.

Although the custom has been criticized, still a lot of students conduct such activities. Some of the students said that the action of scratching and convoy is a form of satisfaction and relief because they have graduated from high school, while other students admit that their activity is only to follow their friends.

Actually, behind students’ happiness, many of their friends are in grief because they do not successfully pass the exam. Even some students who do not pass it get trapped in temporary depression or event an effort to commit suicide. Therefore, a lot of parties now begin to limit the action of scratching and convoys. Various alternatives of social activities are now starting to be taught to students so that in the same moment, they ca focus on positive things, not just scratching and convoy that is not so useful for their next steps.