How do thier parents even allow them to cross that bridge anymore like that? Risking childrens lives just to save a half hour on thier "commute" to school? I dont think so. Get the kids out the door a half hour earlier so they get to school on time. At least until they can fix the bridge for them.

I love how you stupid political dic k heads make this into some sort of political obama this or that thing. No wonder why you nimrods have no life. Go polute your stupid political crap somewhere else. This has nothing to do with america or american politics.

Kallie, you are wrong! The facts are (and this is according to United Nations data) that our high school kids on average do not do as well as many kids in metropolitan high schools in other countries. Example: Shanghai, China, and Finland. Do not compare our standards with kids from rural schools in Asia since those are naturally disadvantaged due to lack of funds and other societal reasons. Compare city schools to city schools.

This is not to say that U.S. students aren't smart -- there are lots of them, and perhaps they think more creatively because they are not taught to learn by rote -- but facts are facts. The less time our kids spend on their iPods and the more time they spend in school the better. I am afraid we are losing our competitiveness to Asian countries.

perhaps the local community does not have the funds to rebuild a bridge. But do you think their are a few boats around. Can't someone help these kids twice a day with a ride across the river?

We have it pretty good in America. I read an article written by David Letterman that spelled it out so well.

Americans were complaining about how unhappy and dissatisfied with the state of affairs in our country they are...

Letterman wrote:

1. Is it that Americans are dissatified with their 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week of electrical service and clean running water.

2. Or Air Conditioning in the summer and Heat in the winter...

3. Or the fact that 91.5% of us have a job...

4. Is it the fact that we can walk to the grocery store and see more food in minutes than Darfur has seen in a year?

5. Or the fact that we can drive our cars from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean without ever being stopped and asked for identification papers as we move through State to State...

6. Or perhaps the hundreds of safe clean Motels we will find along the way to provide us with temporary shelter...

7. Or the thousands of of restaurants with varying cusine from around the world...

8. Or the firemen at our beckon-call that will save us and our belongings in the event of a fire... Or will helicopter us to a hospital if we wreck our car.

9. Or for that matter the police that will come to save us from prowlers who might steal our multitude of flat screen TV's...

10. Or our neighborhoods free from militias raping and pillaging the streets. Where 80% of teenagers have phones and computers...

11. Or the fact that we have complete social, political and religious freedom in our country. Which is the envy of every country on earth.

Times might be tough for us now in this recession... or maybe they are not that tough, but we are a country filled with spoiled people, who do not know what the word tough really is...

When seeing a picture such as this people tend to believe that the country, as a whole, is impoverished, when in fact it isn't. We need to remember that there are impoverished places in every country. For example, if I were to post a picture of a neighborhood in Beverly Hills, California, would you say that all Americans live in the same type of neighborhood? No, as Americans, you know better. Therefore, I am sure that the bridge will eventually be repaired after the threat of bad weather subsides.

It never ceases to amaze me what most Americans consider to be wealth. I think most are blinded. For example, our society sees the higher priced automobile, cell phone, home or television as wealth, therefore leading us to believe that those who do not possess these items are impoverished, when in actuality, they are not.

Like I said, I'm sure the bridge will be repaired eventually. No, the children should not have crossed it, but I did notice that an adult was crossing it as well. It may be that a lot of people are crossing it daily and therefore the children see it as being safe.

By the way, all 2 digit numbers also need to be written as words in formal writing. 3 digit and above remain digits. And digits should never start a sentence (thought you got me, didn't you). But who cares in this simple-minded forum.

Wake up America.

These villagers aren't going catch nothing.

We always set our trotlines in the water when we was trying to catch gators.

I'm guessing not many of you noticed that the road they were walking on was a paved one? Not that it need be, just an observation. I will say, that in the eyes of most Americans, that the desks in the classroom would seem primitive and outdated, but why would we see them in this way? Well, because we tend to be a throw away society. For example, how many college books are thrown away each semester even though they contain the exact information as the newer ones that we are forced to buy in order to take a class? These books can and do cost hundreds of dollars. Why are they no longer usable? Well, it's because we are an advanced country, unlike others that use the same book more than three times. Wow, what a shame they have no clue.

We are wasteful, yet seen as advanced?

We are not advanced because we can get gaming aps on our cell phones. We are not advanced because we can inform people on facebook that we washed our hair today or changed the oil in the ol chevy. We are not advanced because there's a fast food place on practically every corner of our city. We are not advanced because we buy bottled water.

In my opinion, a country that is advanced, is a self sufficent one. It has nothing to do with technology or what one uses to bake bread. The bottom line is, we need water, food and shelter. We are traveling backwards in our attempt to obtain these things. We are a society that can no longer distinguish between a want and a need. That's the real shame.

all i have to say is...if you were those kids, and you where in their shoes...what would you do? keep in mind. in south east asia, if you were consider to be the top student you will get a chance to go to higher edu. and make a name for yourself. the end result is you will land a job with some top official. so, to say those kids or parent are not responsible... you don't understand their reason why they need to make it to school everyday.

I’m 16 years old and found myself interested in this story. Feeling sympathetic I decided to read these comments just to see everyone’s opinions. All I have to say is “wow” you guys sure have a lot of different opinions. I read almost all of them and felt a great need to give my opinion as well.

I read quite a few that constantly bashed “me” and to my opinion yes me. I am an American kid and it was unfair to me that we didn’t have a say in this discussion. Yes I may be only 16 commenting on an adult argument but I feel a child’s opinion can also be valued. Please don’t make an attempt to gather the assumption that I think I’m better than those Indonesian children I do understand that we come from different backgrounds some more unfortunate then others.

While reading your comments I tried to keep an open mind and try to understand what made you come up with your conclusions and am going to try my best not to offend people which may be unavoidable. Ok first of all I was extremely shocked to see grown adults literally bash their own children. When kids grow up in an automated world extra manual labor may seem pointless to them. Parents you have to try and see it from their point of view. It’s not our fault we grow up in this world same goes for those Indonesian children. They adapted to their world as did I in mine. (World being used as the meaning of situation)

We are two completely different places. Yes America is more fortunate than others but we to have our downfalls. I love computers and technology because I grew up around it. I will admit I do enjoy a video game every now and then. To a kid’s point of view they are fun, it’s not necessarily a horrible thing. What was fun when you guys were little is not what fun is now. Would you like your parents wanting to take away what was fun for you? Did you know in South Korea they have LAN Gaming Centers all over in which they go just to play MMO games? America hasn’t yet gotten that hardcore yet so America actually isn’t that bad with gaming as other countries can be. I will admit it makes you lazy and fat blah blah but hey what can you do. If you got rid of video games a gazillion people would lose their jobs and then BAM increase in unemployment. (Just sayin)(Purely my opinion sorry got carried away)(This paragraph is troll friendly so troll away)

The world will advance and there is nothing you can do about it. In the 1920’s during the Scopes trial (I learned this in history at school where I do in fact pay attention) the American Fundamentalists couldn’t accept the fact that America was moving on from what they were accustomed to. So I do understand your opinions on that matter are only a natural response to the world advancing in an unfavorable direction to you. It may sound as if I’ve completely strayed on my topic but trust me it does make my point on the kids are lazy in America issue.

These Indonesian children here are kids I respect to the fullest. They are brave and relentless to the world of knowledge. Although there trek to school may be fatal they still insist on going. That’s pretty awesome, it’s unfortunate that the bridge broke and I hope it can be fixed soon. My knowledge of their country is little but I did before writing this read up on a couple articles about Indonesia and Banten. Reading all these comments provoked me to pursue your issues so in a way I guess I can thank you guys. I hope I don’t get trolled hardcore for this but I only felt I was entitled to my opinion as well. I trust people will understand that I mean no disrespect by this comment and will judge it accordingly. THANKS!

Did everyone miss the fact that there is another bridge if they just left home a half hour sooner? I am pretty sure that is what I would do, even if I was a kid and it looked fun. I would also make sure that my children would leave home a half hour early to take the other bridge, even if they thought it would be fun to cross the broken one. I don't think that it is very smart parenting to allow it, when there is another choice,and because of the bridges condition it probably takes quite a bit longer to get there any way , so I am sure that taking the other bridge doen't add much more time to the trip. I really don't think this is something to be comending them for. Also I don't understand how this article would bring on any bashing of Americans.??? Where oh where has all the common sense gone?

I'm an Indonesian who now live in USA. Believe me, these photos are just a small picture of being a student in my home country, Indonesia.

School in Indonesia is indeed expensive and hard, People!

That's why.. Sometimes I can't stand when students here complain too much. In here, if you are poor, you still can go to school as there is financial aid, etc. You just need to put a little bit effort in.

In Indonesia, school and education are still A HUGE DREAM for most of the people.
*teary eyes*

I proud of them... They are the future leader which I have.

I need your permition to repost on my blog WINA PRIVATE COURSE

Thank you dear sir!

There is no such thing called the next bridge, only a distant alternative pathetic path covered with water n mud, less than 1 meter in width, no bus can pass it, only a helicopter can save you from being a swamp thing at school. n Indonesia aint begging for your donation, our congressmen r about to build Rp 20 billion water closet n Rp 80 billion meeting hall... YOU KNOW T_T..!! ..Remember those kids, who creep between death n the school activity

And yet at my HIGH SCHOOL they don't allow kids to walk or bike to school...

and so the danger crossing would be ????crocodiles in the water ? falling in and drowning ?

forgive me, but tell me again, just why this particular bridge couldn't be fixed too just as the alternative 30 minutes longer around alternate one was.....

i agree with whomever said "American kids should be jealous to have such an Indiana Jones feat to attempt." Remember the nights of playing out in the street under the street light, catching fire flies and playing hide and seek or playing war games running thru brush and grass and rolling on the ground......these children obviously WANT an education and do what it takes to get to school. Pay attention American teens who ditch, smoke dope in the parking lot and think your parents are idiots.....we aren't and we really do know what you're doing.

Why not start a school on the other side of the bridge, where these kids live? It would seem better to have ONE or TWO teachers walk the bridge daily, then to have a multitude of children do it?! Of course, it would be dangerous for them as well. You would think some of the 'adults' around there would be able to think of a way to, at least, make a few repairs to make the bridge less dangerous. Who built it in the first place??

Indonesians are always bad in risk management

When i was a 1st grader many a times i skiied to school crosscountry about 1 1/2 miles oneway. Temperatures often at minus 25 region. and dark to boot apart from stars and moon because of late sunrise. One time because of the blizzard dad had to come and pick me up from school on the horseback as that was the only way to get ahead. My home was about 62 northern latitude. Schools were always open. Americans have it easy.