Bandung, West Java (ANTARA) - Schools may prohibit students from bringing and playing lato-lato, or clackers, in the school environment, if it is disturbing, West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil stated.

"If it is disturbing, there must be an action in the respective environments. If it can still be tolerated, it does not matter, as it is a hobby," Kamil remarked here on Thursday.

After attending the 2022 joint Christmas celebration with the National Defense Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri), and civil servants (PNS) of the Permanent Garrison Command II - Bandung region, Governor Kamil stated that anything excessive will result in bad effects.

According to Kamil, playing lato-lato excessively and being unaware of the time, place, and situation, can be dangerous.

"Do not blame the lato-lato, but put the blame on the excessive time on playing it and forgetting time and manners," the governor stated.

Earlier, the Bandung City Education Office issued a policy prohibiting students from bringing toys unrelated to teaching and learning activities to school, including lato-lato.

"To prevent unwanted conditions, the education office issued a circular prohibiting (students from) bringing toys that are not related to the teaching and learning processes in school," Head of the Bandung City Education Office Hikmat Ginanjar explained earlier.

He stated that lato-lato, which is currently popular among young people, should not be played in the school environment.

Ginanjar also stressed the importance of parental supervision of their children in playing with toys.

"It is necessary to be wise in playing it and to not disturb others. Of course, it can be played where it should be," he stated.

Education offices in Semarang, Central Java, and Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, also issued circulars regarding the ban on playing lato-lato in the school environment.

Playing lato-lato that is not in the right place can result in negative impacts, such as noise nuisance, physical injuries, and damage to school facilities and infrastructure, Head of the Banjarmasin City Education Office, Nuryadi, noted.

"The education office pays special attention to minimize the negative impacts," Nuryadi remarked.

Related news: Expert urges schools to allow children to play lato-lato
Related news: 'Lato-lato' toys can be used to reduce gadget addiction: Expert


Translator: Ajat S, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2023