TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) has identified several irregularities in the implementation of the pancawaluya character education program in West Java, introduced under the leadership of Governor Dedi Mulyadi.
The program involves sending children to military barracks for disciplinary training.
KPAI’s findings stem from direct monitoring at two main sites: the Regiment 1 Sthira Yudha Military Barracks in Purwakarta and the Rindam III Siliwangi National Defense Education Depot in Lembang, West Bandung. The following are the key issues raised:
1. Threats of Being Held Back a Grade
KPAI Deputy Chairperson Jasra Putra reported that children who refused to join the program were threatened with not being promoted to the next grade.
He also noted that participation decisions were based only on recommendations from Guidance and Counseling (BK) teachers, not psychological assessments.
"This program is not determined based on professional psychological assessment, but only recommendations from Guidance and Counseling (BK) teachers. Even from our interviews with children in Purwakarta and Lembang, there were threats that students who refused to participate in the program might not advance to the next grade," said Jasra in a virtual press conference on Friday, May 16, 2025.
2. Some Participants Felt Uncomfortable and Tried to Leave
KPAI Commissioner Aris Adi Leksono said some children felt uneasy and expressed a desire to return to school or leave the training area altogether.
"Some of them take this training because of the recommendation of BK teachers. Some said they didn't feel at ease, wanted to continue studying at school, and some even tried to leave the education depot to buy snacks," said Aris on Monday, May 12, 2025.
While no physical abuse was found, Aris observed that some students appeared fatigued during lessons.
"The children looked tired, so when there were materials, some felt sleepy, unfocused, and talked among themselves," he added.
3. Unclear Selection of “Naughty” Students
KPAI questioned how students were selected for the program, especially in schools without BK teachers. In Purwakarta, three junior high schools were found to have no BK personnel, raising concerns over how placement decisions were made.
"This certainly needs to be looked into more deeply. We recommend that assessments be carried out by professional psychologists, so that policy choices for children are truly appropriate and do not violate their rights," Jasra said.
4. Some Students Didn’t Know Why They Were Sent
While most students reportedly had a background of smoking, truancy, or brawling, KPAI found that about 6.7% of participants were unaware of the reason they had been sent to the program.
This, KPAI said, indicates ongoing issues with the selection process. Jasra warned that coercion or pressure may violate child protection principles and promote discrimination in schools.
5. Supervisors Lack Understanding of Child Protection Principles
Another concern raised was that some program supervisors lacked basic knowledge of child safeguarding practices.
"Not all supervisors understand the Child Safeguarding protocol," said Jasra.
He stressed that this lack of awareness could result in violations of children’s rights, especially considering the military-style setting of the program.
According to Jasra, educational programs targeting junior and senior high school students must comply with Law No. 35 of 2014 and Government Regulation No. 78 of 2021 on child protection.
6. No Standard Health Protocols or Medical Oversight
Finally, KPAI found the program lacked proper operational procedures for health and safety. There were no regular medical or nutritional experts assigned at the Lembang site, further raising red flags about student welfare.
"The absence of child safeguarding protocols understood by all supervisors poses a serious risk of treatment that violates children's rights, especially in a semi-military educational environment," Jasra warned.
Dinda Shabrina contributed to the writing of this article.
Editor’s Choice: KPAI Reports: Some Children Want to Leave Dedi Mulyadi's Military Barracks
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Floods and Landslides Hit Five Areas in West Java Following Heavy Rain
1 hari lalu
Floods and landslides occurred mainly from the afternoon to the evening in Bogor, West Bandung, Bandung, and Tasikmalaya.
West Java's Protected Areas Shrink by 1.2 Million Hectares, Says Environment Minister
2 hari lalu
Minister of Environment Hanif Faisol said that by 2022, only 400,000 hectares remained in the upstream region for six major river basins in West Java.
TNI Probes Civilian Presence at Garut Ammo Demolition Site After Deadly Blast
3 hari lalu
Army will investigate the entry of civilians into the ammunition demolition site in Garut as nine out of 13 casualties were civilians.
KPAI Reports: Some Children Want to Leave Dedi Mulyadi's Military Barracks
4 hari lalu
KPAI reports that children participants feeling uncomfortable and choosing to leave the military barracks, as initiated by Dedi Mulyadi.
Ammunition Disposal Incident Leaves 13 Presumed Dead in Garut, West Java
4 hari lalu
Thirteen people are suspected to have died due to the destruction of firearm ammunition in Cibalong District, Garut Regency, West Java, on Monday, May 12, 2025.
BMKG Warns of Heavy Rainfall in Four Areas of West Java
5 hari lalu
BMKG noted that around 31 percent of West Java areas have the potential to receive high-category rainfall on a regular basis.
West Java Governor Backtracks on Mandatory Vasectomy Plan
8 hari lalu
Governor of West Java, Dedi Mulyadi, denies vasectomy as a requirement to receive social assistance and confirms that there is no such policy in place
Human Rights Minister Defends West Java's Military Barracks Program for Children
8 hari lalu
Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai called Dedi Mulyadi's program a brilliant initiative to tackle the ongoing challenges in the education sector.
West Java Governor Confident Sending Children to Military Barracks Will Solve Juvenile Delinquency
8 hari lalu
Sending troubled children to military barracks is a viable solution to address juvenile delinquency, says Dedi Mulyadi
Governor Dedi Mulyadi Has Sent 272 High Schoolers to Military Barracks Since May 1
8 hari lalu
A total of 272 high school students in West Java have been sent to military barracks as part of a Dedi Mulyadi's youth discipline initiative.
