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Govt mulls expanding militaristic character training for ‘delinquent' students
Natalius stated that the program could strengthen character building by instilling discipline and responsibility. He also assured that the program "does not violate human rights," despite concerns from human rights groups about potential violations.
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Students stand at the ready in a military barracks on Monday while undergoing an intensive character and discipline training at a military education center in West Bandung regency, West Java. Hundreds of students from various regions across West Java who were involved in street brawls and motorbike gangs or were addicted to online games are undergoing an intensive training program led by Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel for at least 14 days. (Antara/Abdan Syakura)
D
espite criticism, the government is considering expanding West Java's controversial militaristic training program for "delinquent" students to other regions across the country.
Since last Friday, several local administrations in West Java such as in Bandung city and Purwakarta regency have started using regional military posts to provide a six-month intensive character training program to students believed to be “difficult to discipline”.
At least 80 students in Bandung and 40 others in Purwakarta participated in the program that involved the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police, with their parents signing forms of consent allowing their children to join the program for 14 days, as reported by Tempo.
Other West Java regions started to follow suit, such as Cianjur and Sumedang regencies, which are planning the implementation of the scheme.
Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai has called on West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi and the TNI to transparently share the results of the first phase of the training with both the public and the central government.
“I have asked [Elementary and Secondary] Education Minister Abdul Muti to roll out the policy nationwide if the first phase of the training proves to be successful,” he said on Tuesday, as reported by Kompas.
Natalius stated that the program could enhance students' mentality and character by instilling discipline and responsibility. He also assured that the program "does not violate human rights," despite concerns from human rights groups about potential violations.
