Nawir Arsyad Akbar, Jakarta – Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai will propose that the military education program initiated by West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen) Abdul Mu'ti.
According to Pigai, sending problematic students to the military barracks can be implemented massively in many places.
"Yes, we ask the Elementary and Secondary Education Ministry to issue a regulation so that this can be implemented massively throughout Indonesia, if it's good", said Pigai at the Human Rights Ministry offices in Jakarta on Tuesday May 6.
He also supports military education for troubled students. Because, he believes that the policy can educate students' mentality and character. "They need to be educated mentally, in their character, and in discipline, as well as in responsibility", said Pigai.
In addition to this, he sees that the military education initiated by Mulyadi does not violate human rights. He argued that the policy was aimed at educating troubled children.
"The West Java governor's policy who wants, to send, yes, wants to educate troublesome children in army barracks, from a human rights perspective, I emphasise that this does not violate human rights", said Pigai.
The military-style character education program initiated by Mulyadi has already started in two areas, namely Purwakarta and Bandung, on Friday May 2.
A total of 39 junior high school students who were considered "difficult to manage" by their schools and families were sent to undergo education at the 1st Sthira Yudha Field Artillery Regiment, 9th Armed Battalion in Purwakarta.
Meanwhile, as many as 30 students who are considered troublesome in Bandung attended a military school at the Siliwangi Rindam III regiment in Bandung.
Mulyadi said that the military education program involving the TNI (Indonesian Military) and Polri (Indonesian Police) is being carried out to strengthen the character of national defence in students, especially those who have been having sex outside of marriage or are indicated to have committed criminal acts.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Natalius Pigai Usul Pendidikan Militer ala Dedi Mulyadi Dijalankan secara Masif".]
