Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi has announced a controversial new plan to send troubled students to Indonesian military (TNI) barracks in an effort to instill discipline and a sense of responsibility among youth.
Governor Dedi said he has prepared an official gubernatorial circular to support the implementation of a new program that would send troubled students to military barracks for disciplinary training. According to Dedi, several local governments and school principals have already expressed readiness to carry out the initiative.
“We’ve issued the governor’s circular. It’s ready as of today. We’ve gathered the school principals as well,” Dedi told reporters following a working session with Commission II of the House of Representatives in Jakarta on Tuesday, April 29.
He revealed the idea was sparked by concerns over students who have persistently violated school rules, and the need to shape discipline and responsibility through a structured military-style environment.
West Java Governor claimed that many parents and teachers feel overwhelmed and unable to manage troubled students. “I’m changing the paradigm here. Many parents today no longer have the ability to handle their children. Many teachers are also struggling to manage their students,” Dedi said.
He emphasized that the initiative is designed to address behavioral problems by placing students in a setting where discipline is paramount, a move he believes will have long-term benefits for both the students and their communities.
Dedi states that the program is set to take effect on Friday, May 2, 2025, and will be rolled out gradually starting in high-risk areas before expanding to all districts and cities across West Java.
“We don’t need to launch it in all 27 regencies and cities at once. We’ll begin in areas that are prepared and considered vulnerable, then expand in stages,” Dedi said.
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The program would targets students in West Java who repeatedly engage in serious misconduct. He outlined the types of students who would sent for disciplinary camp, including those involved in street fighting, alcohol abuse, chronic disobedience toward parents and teachers, and excessive mobile gaming, particularly those addicted to games like Mobile Legends.
According to Dedi, each student will undergo six months of intensive discipline training at one of 30 to 40 specially designated military barracks prepared by the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI).
He emphasized that the plan is already set in motion, claiming it has been coordinated with the military, police, school principals, and supported by the community.
“This policy has received strong backing from parents. If you check social media, the people of West Java are among the biggest supporters of this initiative,” he said.
(Raidi/Agung)
