Dede Leni Mardianti, Jakarta - The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) has identified several irregularities in the implementation of the pancawaluya character education program in West Java, introduced under the leadership of Governor Dedi Mulyadi.
The program involves sending children to military barracks for disciplinary training.
KPAI's findings stem from direct monitoring at two main sites: the Regiment 1 Sthira Yudha Military Barracks in Purwakarta and the Rindam III Siliwangi National Defense Education Depot in Lembang, West Bandung. The following are the key issues raised:
1. Threats of being held back a grade
KPAI Deputy Chairperson Jasra Putra reported that children who refused to join the program were threatened with not being promoted to the next grade. He also noted that participation decisions were based only on recommendations from Guidance and Counseling (BK) teachers, not psychological assessments.
"This program is not determined based on professional psychological assessment, but only recommendations from Guidance and Counseling (BK) teachers. Even from our interviews with children in Purwakarta and Lembang, there were threats that students who refused to participate in the program might not advance to the next grade," said Jasra in a virtual press conference on Friday, May 16, 2025.
2. Some participants felt uncomfortable and tried to leave
KPAI Commissioner Aris Adi Leksono said some children felt uneasy and expressed a desire to return to school or leave the training area altogether.
"Some of them take this training because of the recommendation of BK teachers. Some said they didn't feel at ease, wanted to continue studying at school, and some even tried to leave the education depot to buy snacks," said Aris on Monday, May 12, 2025.
While no physical abuse was found, Aris observed that some students appeared fatigued during lessons.
"The children looked tired, so when there were materials, some felt sleepy, unfocused, and talked among themselves," he added.
3. Unclear selection of 'naughty' students
KPAI questioned how students were selected for the program, especially in schools without BK teachers. In Purwakarta, three junior high schools were found to have no BK personnel, raising concerns over how placement decisions were made.
"This certainly needs to be looked into more deeply. We recommend that assessments be carried out by professional psychologists, so that policy choices for children are truly appropriate and do not violate their rights," Jasra said.
4. Some students didn't know why they were sent
While most students reportedly had a background of smoking, truancy, or brawling, KPAI found that about 6.7% of participants were unaware of the reason they had been sent to the program.
This, KPAI said, indicates ongoing issues with the selection process. Jasra warned that coercion or pressure may violate child protection principles and promote discrimination in schools.
5. Supervisors lack understanding of child protection principles
Another concern raised was that some program supervisors lacked basic knowledge of child safeguarding practices.
"Not all supervisors understand the Child Safeguarding protocol," said Jasra.
He stressed that this lack of awareness could result in violations of children's rights, especially considering the military-style setting of the program.
According to Jasra, educational programs targeting junior and senior high school students must comply with Law No. 35 of 2014 and Government Regulation No. 78 of 2021 on child protection.
6. No standard health protocols or medical oversight
Finally, KPAI found the program lacked proper operational procedures for health and safety. There were no regular medical or nutritional experts assigned at the Lembang site, further raising red flags about student welfare.
"The absence of child safeguarding protocols understood by all supervisors poses a serious risk of treatment that violates children's rights, especially in a semi-military educational environment," Jasra warned.
– Dinda Shabrina contributed to the writing of this article.