JAKARTA - The case of violence against 53 toddlers at the Little Aresha Daycare, Umbulharjo, Yogyakarta City, has sparked harsh criticism from the Indonesian Teachers' Union Federation (FSGI). The police have detained 13 suspected perpetrators who are daycare caregivers. The legal process is still ongoing.
FSGI General Chairperson Fahriza Marta Tanjung highlighted the fact that many daycare centers in Indonesia operate without a license, so they are exempt from child protection standards. FSGI considers this event not a single case, but a portrait of the weak supervision of childcare centers.
"Data from the Ministry of Empowerment of Women and Child Protection (KPPA RI) shows that 44 percent of daycare centers are not licensed, so it can be confirmed that they do not meet child protection standards. This is what all parties concerned with child protection and growth and development should pay attention to," said Fahriza in his statement, Monday, April 27.
FSGI noted that the case in Yogyakarta was not the first. Previously, violence against children also occurred at Daycare Wensen, Depok, in 2024. Both childcare centers were said to have no operational permits.
The Chairman of the FSGI Expert Council, Retno Listyarti, assessed that the absence of permits made supervision from the local government practically not running.
"Because it is not licensed, it is impossible to have coaching, let alone periodic supervision from the local government. In the future, the local government needs to convey information to the public through various social media platforms owned by licensed daycare centers that meet standards," said Retno.
According to Retno, legal daycare generally has a recommendation from the Education Office because it is related to early childhood education services (PAUD). In addition, the manager must also have a Certificate of Business Standard for medium to high risk categories issued by the local government.
Child care center permits are issued by the Investment and One-Stop Service Agency (DPMPTSP) at the district/city level, with the support of a recommendation from the Education Agency regarding the fulfillment of non-formal education standards.
In the midst of public scrutiny, FSGI also reminded the public not to ostracize the parents of the victims. "They entrust their children to that place because they have to work and they pay a certain amount of money to be able to entrust their children," said Retno.
In addition, FSGI asked for the psychological recovery of child victims to be carried out thoroughly, including for their parents. Parents of victims are also entitled to psychological recovery, because if they recover then their children will also recover soon.
FSGI also urged law enforcement officials to impose the maximum sentence on the perpetrators, taking into account their status as parties who should protect children.
"In addition, the police must increase the sentence by one third because the caregivers are the closest people to the victim. The closest person should protect the child instead of being a perpetrator of violence against children," he said.
Not only that, FSGI also encourages the government to open a complaint channel for the public to report alleged violence in daycare.
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