History of the Parent-to-Parent Movement on the First Day of School

JAKARTA - Child education does not solely depend on the contribution of schools and teachers. Educators only teach children while at school. Meanwhile, parents have a large space to teach children in the family environment. However, this does not mean that the two have separate roles.

Anies Baswedan revealed that teachers, parents, and students have an emotional bond that is unbroken. The Minister of Education and Culture (Mendikbud) then launched a parent-to-child movement on the first day of school.

Anies Baswedan is not a new person in the world of education. He has dedicated himself as the rector of Paramadina University in the 2007-2015 era. That step made him understand many things related to the development of education in Indonesia.

He is also active in carrying out a series of projects to advance education such as the Indonesian Teaching Movement. Anies is active in sending young people to remote places in various corners of the archipelago to teach.

Anies indeed started to dabble in politics. The special thing is, Anies' contribution to the world of education has begun to be noticed. Instead of being seen as an advisor to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), Anies was appointed as Minister of Education and Culture since 2014.

Anies did not waste the appointment. He proved that he was the right person in improving the Indonesian education system. The most memorable use of Anies is to invite parents to be involved in the world of children's learning.

Anies considers parents to be the front line of children's education. This condition is because the education that enlightens often comes from home. Children also spend a lot of time with their parents. Children can be taught many things, from matters of responsibility to problem solving.

The presence of parents in children's education can make the success rate of character education high. Anies even had plans to build a new Directorate in the Ministry of Education. He planned for the presence of the Directorate of Parent Education.

A working part is to provide parental education so that they can understand children. This desire has received support from all Indonesian people.

"We will emphasize education for parents because now where are you trying (parents can get information). The Directorate is not a school and is also not held by the director general. Again, find the right name, but it's called Parenting Education. Maybe you journalists can help find the translation," said Anies as quoted by the Sindonews website, January 26, 2016.

Anies did not merely reveal a mere theory regarding the importance of parents in education. He also wants parents across the country to be able to make important and real breakthroughs to support children's learning activities.

As a result, Anies considers the action of delivering children on the first day of school to be important. He feels that the experience of delivering children is the most memorable thing for parents, teachers, and students. The goal is so that parents can interact with teachers, principals, and homeroom teachers.

The narrative will make parents more aware of their children's development. Parents can also get important input regarding their children's talents and interests. Something that can then guide parents to take important steps to develop children.

Anies immediately matured the movement by issuing Circular Letter number 4 of 2016 which was signed on July 11, 2016. The letter contains an appeal to the ranks of ministers and regional leaders to succeed the campaign for parents to accompany children on the first day of school.

He hopes that the regions - governors to regents - will support his movement. The head of the region can also allow his subordinates to deliver his child before work. Anies' desire received a positive response. Many fully support Anies' move.

"On Monday, July 18, 2016, most schools in Indonesia will start the new 2016-2017 school year. To encourage a more positive and enjoyable learning climate, the Ministry of Education and Culture considers it necessary to hold a First Day of School campaign that invites parents to deliver their children on the first day. "

"The First Day of School is also an opportunity to encourage interaction between parents and teachers at school to establish a joint commitment in guiding children's education for the next year. This campaign also aims to increase public awareness and discipline in the implementation of education at school," said the letter from the Ministry of Education.

Later, Anies's breakthrough brought success. The narrative then invited other leaders to give birth to other movements. Take the new movement, the movement of fathers taking over children's reports. The movement was carried out to encourage the role of fathers in education and child care from an early age.