"Early childhood education is like planting a tree. When the roots are firm, its branches and leaves will grow strong. This foundation is what determines our education (system) in the future," Mu'ti stated here on Wednesday.
He said that PAUD's contribution is not limited to developing literacy and numeracy skills, but also to fostering a healthy and clean lifestyle, and also teaching social skills.
"We need to ensure that children grow with good nutrition, a healthy lifestyle, and social skills from an early age. That way, they will become a generation that can debate without being condescending, having differing opinions but still respect one another," he explained.
A cross-sectoral collaboration is necessary to expedite access and improve education.
"We cannot work by ourselves. Partners' support, whether from businesses, industries, public organizations, higher education, communities, or family, is very much needed to ensure that all Indonesian children can get access to high-quality early childhood education," she noted.
In line with the mandate from President Prabowo Subianto outlined in Presidential Regulation 12 of 2025 about National Medium-Term Development Planning, his administration has prepared some priority programs, such as 13 years of mandatory learning policy and equitable access to education.
Other initiatives include capacity building and welfare improvement for educators, building children's skills in literacy, numeracy, science, and technology, as well as lessons in artificial intelligence and coding.
On the same occasion, Head of Commission X at the House of Representatives, Hetifah Sjaifudian, expressed the legislative body's support for the improvement of early childhood education.
"We want to ensure that early childhood education becomes part of the mandatory learning policy, and it is accessible even in remote areas," the legislator said.
Moreover, Sjaifudian also stressed the institution's commitment to improving educators' welfare through regulations and budgeting.
She also expressed DPR's readiness to establish a realistic, good standard of education so it is applicable and accessible for all children.
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Translator: Hana Dewi Kinarina Kaban, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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