Dede Leni Mardianti, Jakarta – Since the implementation of West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi's new policy on May 1, 2025, a total of 272 high school students have been sent to military barracks as part of a disciplinary initiative.
"They all have obtained approval from their parents," said Siska Gerfianti, Head of the Office of Women's Empowerment, Child Protection, and Family Planning of West Java, during an education discussion with the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (Kemen PPPA) via Zoom on Thursday, May 8, 2025.
Siska noted that the students came from 106 different schools, including 53 public high schools and 6 private high schools. Additionally, 32 students were from public vocational schools (SMK) and 15 from private vocational schools.
"The first batch was carried out at the Dapo Pendidikan Atletik Bela Negara Rindam III Siliwangi. The participants were extraordinary," she said.
According to Siska, the program is not limited to physical training but also emphasizes youth values and patriotism. The aim, she said, is to encourage students to adopt more cautious and responsible behavior.
"The goal is to shape positive personalities through the strengthening of integrity, discipline, and responsibility," said Siska.
Governor Dedi Mulyadi first introduced the program during Depok City's 26th anniversary celebration on April 25, 2025.
"I want to make a program, children who are naughty at home, don't want to go to school, just want to hang out, race motorcycles all the time, and fight with their parents, will be handed over to the Depok City government to be nurtured in military and police compounds. Do you agree?" he said.
Dedi added that he has allocated a budget for the children's military education, which will last from six months to a year.