"We are committed to safeguarding children's rights to protection. Everyone involved in the boarding school (Sekolah Rakyat) must be thoroughly prepared to ensure there is no bullying, violence, and discrimination, and that all children's rights are met," Fauzi remarked here on Thursday.
Fauzi emphasized the importance of implementing child protection principles in the operation of Sekolah Rakyat.
According to the minister, child protection is a collective responsibility involving the central and regional governments, communities, families, parents or guardians, as well as the teachers who will serve as educators at Sekolah Rakyat.
These educators have the duty and responsibility to respect, protect, and fulfill children's rights, as mandated by Law No. 35 of 2014 on Child Protection.
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The minister also encouraged parental involvement in the education process at Sekolah Rakyat, despite its boarding school system.
"Parents cannot abandon their responsibility for their children's education. They must pay attention to their child's development. Even though Sekolah Rakyat will have a boarding school system, parents are still obligated to monitor and oversee their children's education, because ultimately, the responsibility for parenting lies with the parents," Minister Fauzi stated.
The Indonesian government is ready to officially implement the Sekolah Rakyat program for the 2025/2026 academic year, starting mid-2025.
Fauzi said her ministry welcomes and fully supports the implementation of the Sekolah Rakyat program, which is part of President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship programs.
This program offers high-quality, free boarding school education for children from low-income and extremely poor families across Indonesia.
Related news: Renovation of 65 Sekolah Rakyat schools completed in July: Minister
Translator: Anita, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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