October 29, 2025 | 01:44 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Minister of Social Affairs, Saifullah Yusuf, also known as Gus Ipul, stated that the Indonesian National Army (TNI) has been involved in the People's School program since its launch on July 14, 2025. In addition to the TNI, Saifullah also mentioned that the Ministry of Social Affairs has collaborated with the Indonesian National Police (Polri).
According to him, the TNI plays a role in disciplining People's School students. "It's really important for the TNI to be able to train these children," said the minister when contacted on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
He said that the Ministry of Social Affairs requires the TNI because foster parents were overwhelmed in disciplining People's School students. As a result, the Ministry of Social Affairs developed a plan for including the TNI's intervention in the education curriculum to familiarize students with the people's school environment.
The politician from the National Awakening Party (PKB) explained that the TNI is tasked with training students in marching in formation. In addition, the military personnel are also asked to guide on the importance of maintaining discipline from waking up in the morning until bedtime.
Students from People's High School 10 in Jakarta told Tempo that they start their activities at 4:30 AM. However, the Ministry of Social Affairs stated that students could wake up even earlier, at 3:30 AM. Gus Ipul did not deny this.
The activities for the People's School students end at 9:00 PM. Gus Ipul considered the packed schedule to be normal for a boarding school-based education. He also did not object to People's Schools that adopt the military academy learning system. "Actually, we take the good things from the military academy. Children must be accustomed to discipline," said the former Mayor of Pasuruan.
However, he emphasized that people's schools are not the same as military academies. Because the people's school students are not given physical training like military cadets. Gus Ipul also considered that the TNI has a different approach in educating People's School students compared to cadets who are prepared to become soldiers.
"We adopt good practices from the TNI in the educational environment, especially strengthening discipline for character education," said the Secretary General of PBNU.
He recounted that during the initial period of familiarization with the school environment (MPLS) in People's Schools, the TNI could provide marching training, motivational talks for up to 2 hours per day. The activities lasted for 1-2 months after MPLS. The intensity of the TNI's training has decreased based on need.
According to Gus Ipul, the evaluation of the progress of People's School students shows positive results. He said that among them, the students find it easier to wake up in the morning and follow a more orderly schedule than before.
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