The Ministry Of Human Rights Supervises The Education Of Troubled Students At The TNI Barracks

Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai/ANTARA

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Human Rights stated that it would participate in supervising and providing input on the implementation of the West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi's program regarding problematic student education in military barracks.

"We are not just watching, but we will also provide input. In fact, we have discussed with echelon one, later we will provide input," said Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, May 6.

Pigai said that the supervision and provision of input would be carried out in the future, if the education of problematic students at the TNI headquarters became a system that was agreed nationally.

According to him, student education in the barracks did not violate human rights as long as it was not accompanied by physical punishment (corporal punishment) such as beatings and nursery. He said the West Java Governor's program was aimed at shaping students' mentality, character, and discipline.

"If education is oriented towards the formation of discipline, mentality, character, and responsibility, it does not violate human rights; and we support the West Java government, that's our attitude," he said.

If the trial in West Java goes well, the Minister of Human Rights will ask the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Abdul Mu'ti to issue regulations so that the program can be implemented throughout Indonesia.

"If it's good. However, we all certainly encourage the education system to be controlled so as not to hit human rights values, not to conflict with human rights, then in order to improve quality, competence, character, mental, disciplined, and responsibilities," he added.

In addition, Pigai said that student education in the barracks must be carried out transparently and openly to the public. This is because the program is run using people's money.

Previously, West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi rolled out a program to "beat" problematic students in the province to be educated in the military barracks which will be implemented starting May 2, 2025.

Troubled students sent to the TNI headquarters include students suspected of being involved in brawls, smoking, and abusing drugs. They are sent on parental permission and will undergo education no later than two to six months.

When reviewing the implementation of the program in Purwakarta, Saturday (3/5), Dedi said that character development for students at the Armed 1/Stira Yudha/1 Army Headquarters in Purwakarta Regency had a positive impact on increasing student discipline.

"This program (the development of student characters at the TNI headquarters) has a positive impact on increasing student discipline," said Dedi.

He said this disciplinary program had been followed by students from various regencies and cities in West Java. In the future, he said, the program will be expanded to the SLTA level, including teenagers who have been identified as having violated discipline.