The Story Of Dedi Mulyadi Bans Tourism Work Since Becoming Regent Of Purwakarta

Dedi Mulyadi, Governor of West Java who was the Regent of Purwakarta from 2008-2018. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - School children's tourism works are often seen as having a positive and negative side. Positively, tourism works can make school children have additional means of learning outside the classroom. The negativeness of tourism works is considered just playing activities - tourism.

Dedi Mulyadi, who is familiarly called Kang Dedi Mulyadi (KDM), then became the most prominent in observing the tourism phenomenon. The regent of Purwakarta from the 2008-2018 era then banned tourism works in schools from elementary, junior high, to high school. Dedi is sure that tourism work activities have many disadvantages, rather than benefits.

No school underestimates the affairs of tourism works. Learning activities outside the classroom are seen as an important lesson in the world of education. This condition makes some schools seem to require tourism works. Even though there are schools that firmly make tourism works an option.

This condition brings new problems. The benefits of tourism work are seen as insignificant. Tourism works outside the city are considered only burdensome for students' parents. Dedi Mulyani also agreed. The Regent of Purwakarta considers that too far considers tourism work to have great benefits.

He saw the narrative as just lazy to think. He emphasized that there are many ways that can be done to increase students' enthusiasm for learning. Dedi carried out many ideas to increase the enthusiasm for students to learn and equality in Purwakarta.

He tried to enforce discipline among students. He initially issued a policy that he could not bring motorbikes to school for school children except those who were 17 years old and had a driver's license. Dedi also forbade teachers at school to provide academic homework (PR).

Dedi wants PR to be creative. Something that can affect children's creativity. At its peak, Dedi also began to ban tourism works for school children (SD, SMP, and SMA) throughout Purwakarta.

The decision was stated in Circular (SE) No. 421.7/2014/Disdikpora concerning the Provision of Productive Creative Tasks in Lieu of Homework and Prohibition of the Implementation of Tourism Work.

The rule applies September 5, 2016. Everything boils down because tourism works are considered to have many disadvantages, rather than benefits. Anyone who violates will be sanctioned for removal.

"The title is just a tour work or study tour, but that's basically just playing. Then those who are not asked to make papers that are difficult so that the impression is better than working on it. It's better to just have a picnic, there's no obligation," said Dedi as quoted on the second.com page, September 5, 2016.

The ban on tourism works was not suddenly carried out. Dedi first conducted socialization to the principals of elementary, junior high, high school/vocational schools throughout Puwakarta. Dedi did ban tourism works outside the region. However, Dedi still gives concessions if the school holds a picnic at the nearest location.

Dedi just didn't want schools to seem to require tourism works. As a result, it can go anywhere. Parents get dizzy. Those who do not participate are also often charged with heavy replacement tasks. According to him, the narrative is not educational.

The majority comply with the rules implemented by Dedi. However, that does not mean that Dedi's steps are smooth. The policy received protests from various elements of society. Transportation service providers, especially.

Dedi's policy is considered to close the door to their sustenance. This condition makes the unemployment rate in Purwakarta increase. Not to mention the protests from accommodation managers and tourist attractions, which in fact are splashed with benefits from tourism works.

Dedi's policy of banning tourism works has also begun to get appreciation from many parties. The parents do not need to waste extra funds. Dedi's policy was also praised by Muhadjir Effendy.

The Minister of Education and Culture (Mendikbud) considers Dedi's steps positive. Muhadjir called for other regional heads to take part in creating quality policies and education in his area.

Muhadjir also stated that this is common because schools are currently under the control of local governments. However, Muhadjir could not apply what Dedi had done to all schools in the archipelago. Regional urgency is different.

"I think it's good. It should be like that. That's because schools are currently in the regional government's autonomy area. However, we will definitely support all policies for better education," said Muhadjir as quoted on the detik.com page, September 9, 2018.

Recently, Dedi's same policy when he became Regent of Purwakarta has been trying to be re-implemented when he was Governor of West Java since early 2025. He has banned tourism works from returning. However, the ban on tourism works does not only apply to Purwakarta, but throughout West Java.