Improving child discipline must be carried out in a loving, recreational, and repetitive atmosphere to make the discipline come from awareness, not compulsion.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) has said that an early start time of 5:30 a.m. local time for several high schools in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), must be reviewed.

It said that this is necessary to ensure the best interests of students.

"A number of aspects must be considered carefully before issuing a policy, especially related to children's education," the ministry's Acting Deputy for the Fulfillment of Children's Rights, Rini Handayani, said in Jakarta on Thursday.

The ministry still appreciates the local government's regulation, which is aimed at improving discipline and the quality of education, since that is a shared goal of the government and all elements of society, she noted.

In addition, the ministry also supports policies to improve the quality of education because education is one way to produce a superior generation with noble morals.

"Therefore, the policy formulation must also be guided by the principle of child protection and ensure the fulfillment of children's rights," she said.

She noted that as per Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning Child Protection, child protection involves measures to guarantee and protect children’s rights to live, grow, develop, and participate optimally, in accordance with human dignity, and receive protection from violence and discrimination.

Furthermore, Article 45B (1) states that the government, regional government, communities, and parents are obliged to protect the child from actions that interfere with their health and development; and (2), in carrying out their obligations as referred to in paragraph (1), the government, regional government, communities, and parents must carry out activities that protect children.

In addition, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which has been ratified by the Indonesian government and has become the spirit of the National Education System Law, also considers the intellectual and emotional development of each child.

"Improving child discipline must be carried out in a loving, recreational, and repetitive atmosphere to make the discipline come from awareness, not compulsion. All parties must also respect children's rights," she added.

Earlier, NTT Governor Viktor B. Laiskodat issued a policy requiring high schools and vocational schools in Kupang city to start at 5 a.m. However, due to objections raised by the community, the time was changed to 5:30 a.m.

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Translator: Anita Permata Dewi, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
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