In the past two weeks, residents of North Tapanuli Regency have been stirred by a program/event involving mass viewings (Nobar) of the film 1 CM for students, with a fee of Rp 20,000 per person.
Discussions about the 1 CM film screening have also emerged on various social media platforms, including Facebook. Some agree with the Nobar event, but many netizens disagree and criticize it with various opinions.
What the film is about and what message it intends to convey after viewing, and why it must be shown to students, remains unclear.
However, the Nobar event organized by a private party has sparked pros and cons—whether the event deserves to continue or needs evaluation.
Residents who disagree argue that the screening of the film 1 CM is illegal and resembles an unofficial levy, burdening parents amid unfavorable economic conditions.
The Head of the Education Office stated that it is not impossible for the Nobar event to be evaluated.
“Yes, seeing and monitoring the current developments (pros and cons of the Nobar event), we may evaluate whether it is worth continuing or not. Soon, we will hold a meeting to discuss this matter,” he said.
He explained that the 1 CM film screening event organized by the private party is a form of cooperation between the private party and elementary/junior high school principals. Regarding how their cooperation with the schools is structured, he said that it is the responsibility of each school principal.
“The Nobar organizers and the cooperating schools. The Education Office is not in a position to approve or prohibit the event. There is no element of coercion—whether students want to watch the film or not. But given the current situation and developments, we will reevaluate,” he explained.
Based on information gathered in the field, the 1 CM film screening event has already taken place in several locations. It is also known that several schools have scheduled the Nobar event and have received viewing tickets from the organizers, which will then be distributed to students.
A number of school principals who were asked for information said that the matter of the 1 CM film screening event for students, with a ticket price of Rp 20,000, was obtained when they attended the School Principals’ Working Group (K3S) meeting in their respective regions (Education Sub-District).
A number of school principals who requested their identities be kept confidential explained that during the K3S meeting, the organizers presented plans for the student mass viewing to the school principals.
“During the meeting, they (the Nobar organizers) explained the event, though we ourselves did not really understand the film,” they said.
The school principals also admitted to having received tickets according to the number of students in their respective schools.
“Yes, we have received the tickets according to our student count. There is indeed no coercion for students to watch. If they are unwilling, they are not forced,” explained several school principals.