Indonesian officials urge stricter child protection in schools

Indonesian officials are calling for strengthened child protection measures in educational institutions following rising cases of bullying and violence. Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs HR Muhammad Syafi’i has urged madrasahs to tighten supervision and foster a culture of reporting among students. He recommended the installation of CCTV in high-risk areas, such as libraries and counseling rooms, to prevent physical, verbal, and sexual violence.

To facilitate reporting, the Ministry is promoting the Anti-Violence Complaint Management Application (AMAN). This effort aligns with the National Movement for Safe and Comfortable Spaces for Children (Gernas Rana), which targets safety in homes, schools, public spaces, and digital environments.

In Central Java, Vice Governor Taj Yasin Maimoen emphasized that preventing bullying requires collaboration between families, communities, and schools, including Islamic boarding schools (pesantren). He noted that prevention efforts should begin as early as early childhood education (PAUD) and stressed the importance of analyzing the root causes of behavior by maintaining close communication between schools and parents.