"The function of the Education Office is to ensure the sustainability of education for children. In connection with the child marriage dispensation, there will be a task force chaired by the Office of Women's Empowerment, Child Protection, and Family Planning (DP3AKB)," head of the West Java Education Office Dedi Supandi informed here on Tuesday.
Supandi said that his office will coordinate with the West Java DP3AKB and other stakeholders to tackle hundreds of applications for child marriage dispensation in the province.
So far, schools have taught children about family, marriage, and sex education to prevent pre-marital sex, which can result in unwanted pregnancy, he said.
In the near future, the Education Office will launch an anti-bullying system in schools to handle and detect problems in the educational environment early, Supandi added.
In addition, his party has urged schools to teach students about tolerance and anti-radicalism, as well as asked students to take up extracurriculars that offer positive activities.
Based on data from the Bandung Religious Court, as many as 143 residents applied for marriage dispensation in 2022.
The applications were submitted because the applicants had to get married immediately for some reason, but they were still under the age of 19.
Governor of West Java, Ridwan Kamil, said that his administration is currently inspecting the underage marriage applications, especially since some who have filed them still go to school.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy, asked all parties to prevent child marriage and its negative impacts.
According to him, child marriage can potentially lead to domestic violence, divorce, stunted children, and poverty.
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Translator: Ajat S, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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