Two elementary school girls in West Lombok skip classes after their marriage plans canceled

Lombok, Thekabarnews.com—Reports say that two girls in elementary school in Gunungsari District, West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), haven’t been going to school for almost a month. In early February 2026, school officials told the public what was going on.

Teachers report that the two students planned to marry during the end-of-semester holiday in late 2025 and declined to return to school after authorities canceled the weddings.

A teacher with the initials HM said that as soon as the principal and a few other teachers heard about the wedding plans, they did something about it. They called the head of the local hamlet to stop the plans. 

The primary objective was to prevent girls from marrying too young and to ensure their continued education. But after authorities canceled the weddings, both students reportedly refused to return to school.

“This situation isn’t only about discipline; it also shows that he was concerned about issues beyond that. Untreated mental tension, humiliation, fear, or family problems could be causing the situation,” HM stated.

The school officials have gone to see the families to give aid and advice. However, thus far, these efforts haven’t worked.

The two students come from different parts of the world. One fifth-grade student had a history of skipping school a lot and lived far away from it. This student also hails from a divorced family. The sixth grader had participated in class before. People say that the two girls are very close friends. They rely on each other a lot for emotional support.

They live in Dusun Batu Kemalik, Desa Bukit Tinggi, and Dusun Ranjok Barat, Desa Mekar Sari.

People who work to protect children say that the situation needs organized psychosocial support. Additionally, experts say that schools, families, village leaders, and child protection services should all work together to create a safe and helpful place.

The first thing to do is clear: help the kids feel safe and sure of themselves again so they can go back to school. Observers warn that a prolonged absence could result in dropping out. This outcome would worsen their chances for education and socializing.