Chapter 5. Darno’s Dillema

"Well my friends, Adil and I will explain the difference between Lampung language dialect A and dialect O," Novan said, starting the explanation.

"So, dialect A is used by the people of Lampung in Melinting, Maringgai, Coastal Krui and Ranau, Way Kanan, Sungkai, and Pubian," Adil said.

"Meanwhile, dialect O is used by the people of Lampung who live in the Abung and Menggala areas," Novan said, completing Adil's remarks.

Adil and Novan took turns explaining the subject matter that Lisna had written on the blackboard.

Both of them were also good at answering questions that came from their friends about the material during the question-and-answer session.

Finally, Lisna gave one final question,

"In your opinion, what activities should we do to keep the Lampung language sustainable?"

Novan and Adil were silent for a while, and then both of them asked Lisna to discuss for a moment.

"Please, you have 3 minutes to discuss," Lisna said giving a warning. Fortunately, within 30 seconds, both of them had found the answer to the question.

"You wanna answer first?"

"Go ahead, Novan. I'll follow," Adil said.

Shortly after that, Novan faced Lisna and her friends. He said that in preserving Lampung language, it was necessary to hold speech competitions in Lampung in elementary, junior high, and high school.

"Besides, in our opinion, it is also possible to make Lampung language compulsory day activities in schools and offices. So that Lampung language won't be extinct, ma'am," Adil explained, continuing Novan's words.

Lisna and all 6B grade students gave a standing ovation for the actions taken by Adil and Novan who were able to explain the subject well, even though both of them were in a position to carry out the sanctions given by Lisna for their chattering during the lesson.

"Novan, Adil. Thank you for your explanation. Extraordinary. I am happy to have students who can understand Lampung language. Now, you may return to your seats," Lisna said.

"Okay, ma'am. We apologize for our mistake," Adil said.

"Please forgive us both, ma'am," Novan said, softly.

Lisna patted Adil and Novan's shoulders, smiling and nodding her head. Adil and Novan greeted the teacher's hand.

"How about Adil and Novan who represent our class in Lampung Language Competition at the 2005 Class Meeting after the Final School Examination?" Lisna asked all the 6B class students who were present.

"Sure, Ma'am," all their friends said.

"Are you guys ready?" Lisna asked Adil and Novan.

"Sure thing, ma'am," Novan and Adil answered in unison.

After the festivities, the lesson resumed. Adil and Novan became inspirational figures in their class today after black stains tarnished their good name in the Student Violation Record Book.

Adil was very enthusiastic about participating in today's school, even though his father didn't allow him to bring his cellphone.

Two days have passed since the incident, Adil and Novan's actions did not escape the discussion among teachers at school, including Darno, who was talking to Santi in the teacher's room during break time.

"Adil? The one who often violated the school rules?" Darno asked Santi, the homeroom teacher for Class 6A.

"Right, sir. I know I heard it myself from my students in class. They said that Adil and Novan could explain the Lampung language subject fluently," Santi said.

"I see, ma'am. Later when I meet Mrs Lisna, I will ask her," Darno responded.

"Good, Sir. Looks like my class won't be easy to beat Mrs Lisna's class in competition later," Santi said jokingly.

"About winning or losing, that's normal, ma'am. The important thing is that our children can understand the subject," Darno answered diplomatically.

Seeing Mrs Lisna passing in front of the Teacher's room, Mr Darno hastened to approach her.

"Mrs Lisna, can we chat for a minute?" Darno asked, to which Lisna responded with willingness.

The two of them chatted in front of the teacher's room.

"What is it about, sir? It seems important," Lisna said.

"It's about Adil, ma'am,"

"Adil, a student in my class, sir?"

"Exactly. I heard from the teachers that Adil was able to explain the Lampung Language lessons well," Darno explained.

"Sure, Mr Darno. Two days ago, I gave the assignment to Adil and Novan as they were chatting while I was writing the material on the blackboard. However, I was surprised when I found out that Adil and Novan were able to explain the material I gave smoothly. Friends in his class may not necessarily be able to do that," Lisna said.

"Hmm," Mr Darno replied, flatly.

"Mr Darno, I think Adil's intention to become a child who is more diligent in studying has begun to be embedded in him. It's just up to us as teachers to motivate him," Lisna said, adding.

"Do you have another opinion about Adil?" Darno asked.

"Perhaps, we should allow him to compete in the Lampung Language competition in our school, sir. Then, his tall posture can be directed to pursue basketball at the junior high school level. We can give that advice to his parents," Lisna said.

"Okay, ma'am. Thanks for your opinion. It will be my evaluation in dealing with our school's students who often violate school rules, " Darno explained.

"You are welcome, sir. I'll go back to the class. Assalamu'alaikum," Lisna said.

Lisna has passed, now all that's left is Darno sitting alone in the front of the Teacher's Room.

He pondered and evaluated himself, whether all this time his attitude had been right in dealing with naughty children at the school Rawa Laut 2 Elementary School, or perhaps he had gone too far so the students were afraid of him.

In that anxiety, after the bell rang for class, an incoming call rang on his cellphone. Saifudin, the principal of the school called him.

He presses the button to receive a call. The conversation started.

"Hello, Mr Darno. Can you come to my room now?"

"Hello. Sure, I'll be there soon, sir," Darno replied.

"Okay, I will wait. I have something important to convey to you regarding the message from the Head of the Service,"

No need to wait long, Darno headed straight to the principal's room which is located next to the Administrative Staffroom, carrying a bag containing documents related to the progress of student achievement and discipline as preparation material if his superior asked further.

"Assalamualaikum. Excuse me, sir," Darno said at the open door.

"Wa'alaikumsalam, Mr. Darno. Please come in and have a seat," Udin said inside the room.

Darno immediately sat on a chair in the room, while Udin was still standing near the water heater while preparing for drinks.

"Let's take it easy, sir. While having coffee," Udin said, who was stirring black coffee in two cups he had prepared before Darno's arrival.

Mr Udin approached the chair occupied by Mr Darno, while placing two cups of black coffee on the table.

"Have a drink, please," Udin said. The conversation started after the two of them had their first sip of coffee.

"So, I invite you here to convey a message from the Head of the Education Authorities Office. He said the discipline of students in our school is decreasing. Although, we are still in the top 5 schools that have the most disciplined students in this city," Udin said.

"If I may ask, how much point do we get, sir?" Darno asked.

"From the 0-10 rating scale, the student discipline score in our school is only 7.8. We are in 3rd place, losing to Rawa Laut 1and Al-Kautsar elementary school, one of the private schools that are developing," Udin said.

"I apologize for my less effort and the Counselling Teacher Team in enforcing student discipline that is not optimal," Darno said.

"Darno, I don't think this attempt has failed. Instead, I applaud the breakthroughs that you have given to our school. Therefore, I want to give you a new task," Udin said firmly.

"What task is it, sir?"

"A trivial task but not an easy one. Please give me a second. I need to go to the Archives Room first, there are documents that you must check," Udin said, with a serious face, leaving Darno full of questions.