Marsaria Primadonna, chairman of the Cikal Teachers Campus, Criticizing West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi's policy regarding the Military Barracks School program for students with challenging behavior.
The teacher as well as the educational activist confirms, education is not about subduing but growing. “We at the Cikal Teachers Campus believe that true character change is born from safe relationships, not fear,” tegasnya pada Friday (9/5).
Pima, familiar greeting, regrets policies that ignore background, emotions, and the needs of these students. Children whose actions are challenging are often never listened to.
A holistic approach is needed to see students as a whole; who are they, where do they get their data from?, and what they are experiencing. This method is not a fast path but a stronger change because it is born from understanding, not pressure.
“Maybe what you see now is that students have changed, but they stop because they are aware or afraid? If you're just afraid it won't last long. But if children feel understood and invited to think, it's a change that can last,explained Pima.
"Programs like this need to be studied more deeply. Don't make our children militaristic guinea pigs. It's not just about fast results, but the impact is long term. Because in the world of education, what we build is not just today's behavior—but our children's future,he continued.
Vocational school teacher in Depok: Try to Understand the Student's Perspective
Rejection also comes from Suryadi, AMEC Depok Vocational School teacher as well as a member of the Indonesian Learning Teacher Community. According to him, This policy puts pressure on students and will not produce the desired quality of education.
Suryadi admitted that he was also frustrated when faced with challenging student behavior. However, Suryadi tried to deal with it with a humanist approach.
“Empathy, effective communication, set clear boundaries, look for solutions together, including collaborating with parents," he said.
“I talk to students privately, listen to what he says, and try to understand his perspective. I also try to find ways to make him feel more involved in the learning process,he explained.
Significant changes occur even though it takes time. The students he faced were more obedient to class agreements, want to do the job, even socialize well in class.
“This experience taught me that every student has unique needs and problems, and that with the right approach, we can help them to grow and develop,said Suryadi.
Middle school teacher in Bandung: Want a Momentary Change of Consciousness or Change?
The same approach was also taken by Iwan Ardhie, Developer Muhammadiyah Middle School 9 Bandung Regency. Decades of teaching have given him the experience of meeting students from various backgrounds.
“I use principles, 'educate students with the best treatment'. Whatever his behavior is, I am patient. Once there was an annoying student, A few years after graduating we met outside of school, he kissed my hand,” recalled Iwan.
Iwan also admitted that he did not agree with the policy of sending students who were considered problematic to the barracks. The reason is that there is no empirical evidence or studies that say that educating with a military approach can be better than at school.
“Even if it proves to be better later, Does that mean there has been a change in consciousness or is it just a momentary change??said Iwan.
“For schools, This policy should actually be a reflection. Why do schools seem to be distrusted or as if they are said to have failed in educating students?? And policy makers need to understand that education is a process, it can't be instant,”
Instead of a military approach, Iwan supports improving the quality of teachers, including the competence to empathize and communicate with students. Thus, A school environment that is conducive to student growth can be created. (Yosi)
This press release was published previously on 10 Mei 2025.
