Primary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu’ti announced the issuance of Ministerial Regulation No. 6 of 2026 on Safe and Comfortable School Culture during a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday, following the signing of a Joint Decree on Children’s Mental Health.
“The regulation is designed to ensure schools are free from violence and to build stronger social relationships between teachers and students, among peers, and with parents and education stakeholders,” Mu’ti said.
He explained that the initiative emphasizes preventive and promotive approaches, shifting counseling from a curative model to one that nurtures personality, talents, and interests.
“Our target for 2029 is to reach more than 2.8 million teachers,” he added.
The regulation highlights five pillars of safe schooling: spiritual fulfillment, physical protection, psychological well-being, socio-cultural security, and digital civility.
The ministry is also encouraging extracurricular and curricular programs to support children’s interests and development.
Indonesia’s focus on mental health comes amid global concern over rising suicidal ideation among youth.
Data from the Global School-Based Student Health Survey show that between 2015 and 2023, the proportion of students considering suicide rose from 5.4 percent to 8.5 percent, while attempts increased from 3.9 percent to 10.7 percent.
Female students were found to be more vulnerable.
Figures from the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) reveal 45 suicide cases among children aged 11–17 in 2023, 42 in 2024, and 20 in 2025.
Reports from KPAI and the Health Ministry’s Healing119.id platform cite family conflict and parenting issues as the leading triggers, accounting for up to 46 percent of cases, followed by bullying, psychological problems, and academic pressure.
Translator: Prisca Triferna, Raka Adji
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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