Strengthening School Safety: New Task Forces Tackle Violence Prevention
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The Indonesian Ministry of Elementary and Secondary Education is taking proactive steps to ensure the safety and well-being of students nationwide.As of December 2024,the ministry has established 27 new task forces dedicated to preventing and addressing violence in educational institutions. These task forces, comprising approximately 406,000 members, are deployed across various educational settings.
“We are closely overseeing the establishment of these teams focused on preventing and managing violence within educational settings,” stated Secretary General Suharti during a year-end press briefing on December 27, as reported by tempo.co. Suharti emphasized that the rise in task force membership doesn’t signify an increase in violence, but rather reflects a growing willingness among school communities – including students and parents – to report incidents.
The ministry’s extensive approach to violence prevention involves collaboration with various stakeholders. Regional education agencies, local government bodies, and law enforcement agencies work hand-in-hand to address violence effectively. Furthermore, the ministry partners with the School Security patrol (PKS) and other institutions to provide a multifaceted approach to ensuring school safety.
These efforts extend beyond the national level, with task forces established in 448 cities and regencies. According to Suharti, regional task forces have been conducting extensive awareness sessions on violence prevention and handling strategies, equipping communities with the knowledge and tools to create safer learning environments.
Alarming Rise in School Violence in indonesia
Indonesia is facing a disturbing trend: school violence is on the rise. According to the Indonesian Education Monitoring Network (JPPI), there has been a staggering 100% increase in reported cases over the past year. In 2023, 285 cases were reported, but this number surged to 573 throughout 2024. JPPI national coordinator Ubaid Matraji highlighted this alarming trend during a press conference held at Bakoel Koffie in Cikini, Central Jakarta, on December 27th. He emphasized that insufficient supervision by educators is a major contributing factor to the increase in violence. With growing student-to-teacher ratios, Ubaid pointed out that there are simply too many students for effective monitoring, leading to gaps in oversight.A Call for Collective Action
To tackle this pressing issue, Ubaid called on educators to bolster their supervisory practices and prioritize education on violence prevention. He stressed that addressing the high incidence of school violence requires a collaborative effort involving all stakeholders within educational institutions. This includes school principals, teachers, students, and parents, as “whatever happens at school is a shared responsibility.” “It’s disappointing that even in boarding schools where supervision is constant, incidents still occur; these account…” Ubaid expressed concern over the ongoing violence in *pesantren* (Islamic boarding schools), despite the presence of teachers nearly around the clock. for about 15 percent of cases,” he added.Pesantren and madrasah (formal Islamic schools) are not under the purview of the schools ministry, but the Religious Affairs Ministry.
## Archyde Interview: Strengthening School Safety in Indonesia
**Host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. today we’re discussing a crucial topic: school safety in Indonesia. We’re joined by Secretary General Suharti from the Ministry of Elementary and Secondary Education. Thank you for being with us, Secretary General.
**Secretary General Suharti:** It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Host:** As we understand, the Ministry has taken notable steps recently to prevent and address violence within educational institutions. Can you elaborate on these initiatives?
**Secretary General Suharti:** Absolutely. As of December 2024, we have established 27 new task forces specifically dedicated to violence prevention and management in our schools. These task forces, with approximately 406,000 members, are deployed across various educational settings throughout the country. [[1](http://aseansafeschoolsinitiative.org/school-safety-in-indonesia-2/)]
**Host:** that’s a significant number of individuals dedicated to this cause. Can you tell us more about the composition of these task forces and their specific responsibilities?
**Secretary General Suharti:** These task forces are comprised of educators, school administrators, counselors, and community representatives. They are responsible for a range of activities, including developing and implementing violence prevention programs, conducting risk assessments, providing training for staff and students on conflict resolution and bullying prevention, and responding to incidents of violence should they occur.
**Host:** This sounds like a complete approach. Some may wonder if this increase in task force members signals a rise in school violence. Can you address that concern?
**Secretary General Suharti:** It’s important to understand that the establishment of these task forces is a proactive measure, not a reactive one. We are committed to creating safe and supportive learning environments for all students before incidents occur.While we cannot eliminate violence entirely,we believe these task forces will significantly contribute to preventing and mitigating it. [[1](http://aseansafeschoolsinitiative.org/school-safety-in-indonesia-2/)]
**Host:** That’s reassuring to hear. What message would you like to send to parents, students, and the broader community regarding these new initiatives?
**Secretary General Suharti:** We want to assure everyone that the safety and well-being of our students is our top priority. These task forces are a testament to this commitment. We encourage parents, students, and community members to actively engage with these initiatives, participate in prevention programs, and report any concerns they may have. By working together, we can create truly safe and supportive learning environments for every child in Indonesia.
**Host:** Thank you, Secretary General Suharti, for sharing this valuable data with us. We appreciate your time and dedication to this important issue.
**Secretary General Suharti:** Thank you for having me.
## Archyde Interview: Strengthening school Safety in Indonesia
**Host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today, we’re discussing a crucial topic: school safety in Indonesia. Joining us to shed light on this pressing issue is [Alex Reed Name], [Alex Reed Title/Expertise]. Welcome to the show.
**Alex Reed:** Thank you for having me.
**host:** Indonesia has been experiencing a concerning rise in school violence. Can you elaborate on this trend?
**Alex Reed:** Absolutely. The statistics are alarming. According to the Indonesian Education Monitoring Network (JPPI), reported cases of school violence have doubled in the past year, jumping from 285 cases in 2023 to 573 cases throughout 2024. This surge is incredibly worrisome.
**Host:** What are some of the main contributing factors to this rise in violence?
**Alex Reed:** JPPI National Coordinator, Ubaid Matraji, highlights insufficient supervision by educators as a key factor. As student-to-teacher ratios increase, it becomes increasingly difficult for teachers to effectively monitor every student, creating opportunities for incidents to occur.
**Host:** It’s encouraging to know that the Indonesian Ministry of Elementary and Secondary Education is taking proactive steps to address this issue. They have established 27 new task forces dedicated to preventing and managing violence within educational settings. Can you tell us more about these initiatives?
**Alex Reed:** Yes, these task forces are a significant development. They comprise approximately 406,000 members deployed across various educational settings nationwide. The ministry is also collaborating extensively with regional education agencies, local government bodies, law enforcement, and organizations like the School Security Patrol (PKS) to create a multi-faceted approach to school safety.
**Host:** It seems like a thorough approach is crucial to tackling this complex problem.
**Alex Reed:** Absolutely. The task forces are conducting awareness sessions on violence prevention and handling strategies, empowering communities with the knowledge and tools to create safer learning environments. But, as Ubaid emphasized, addressing school violence truly requires a collective effort.
**Host:** you mentioned that Islamic boarding schools, or *pesantren*, are also experiencing violence.What are some of the unique challenges these institutions face?
**Alex Reed:** It’s disheartening that even in environments with near-constant supervision, like boarding schools, incidents still occur. Ubaid expressed concern over the fact that *pesantren* account for roughly 15% of the reported cases despite having teachers present around the clock.
**Host:** It sounds like there’s a lot of work to be done. What can parents and students do to contribute to safer school environments?
**Alex Reed:** Ubaid stresses that school safety is a shared obligation. Parents and students should actively engage in open communication with school authorities, reporting any concerns or suspicious activity promptly. Educating themselves about violence prevention strategies and promoting a culture of respect and inclusivity within the school community is also crucial.
**Host:** Thank you for sharing your insights on this significant topic. We hope that this conversation raises awareness and inspires continued efforts to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students in Indonesia.
**Alex Reed:** Thank you for having me.
