The governor of Indonesia’s West Java province is facing strong criticism after introducing a program that sends misbehaving students to military training camps. Many have called the move a dangerous step toward the militarization of education.
Governor Dedi Mulyadi launched the pilot program in early May. Under the plan, two regencies—Purwakarta and Bandung—each send 30 students to a military base. The initiative is part of a program called Character Education, Discipline, and National Defense Specialization.
Mulyadi explained that the selected students, who are of junior high school age, spend 14 days at the military base. He described them as “naughty” children at risk of criminal behavior. He also claimed the program is meant for students whose parents can no longer guide them.
“If the parents don’t hand them over, we won’t accept them,” he said on May 5. He argued the program responds to what he called the growing “moral degradation” among young people.
During their stay, students continue their school lessons. Teachers take turns traveling to the base to teach classes.
Purwakarta Regent Saepul Bahri Binzein supported the program. He called it “a real effort by the government to save the younger generation.”
“If parents have given up, then the state must step in. This is not a punishment—it’s a rescue,” he said.
But many public figures and education experts have voiced concern.
Hetifah Sjaifudian, a lawmaker and chair of the parliamentary commission on education, said that while national defense and character education are part of the curriculum, it should not involve military training.
“The concept focuses on building love for the country and mental readiness—not on turning schools into military training grounds,” she said.
Atip Latipulhayat, Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, called the program “inappropriate.” He pointed out that the education system already has proper procedures in place. These include counseling and teacher support for students with behavioral problems.
“Taking students to military barracks is a form of militarization of education,” he said.
Father Vinsensius Darmin Mbula, head of the National Council for Catholic Education, also spoke against the program.
He said the military is strict with its members, but this method should not be used for students.
“Schools are civilian spaces. They help shape children into responsible and democratic people,” he told UCA News. “This policy sends a message that schools have failed to develop children’s character.”
He also criticized the idea that schools should only serve high-achieving students. “Naughty or stubborn children should not be pushed aside or sent to military barracks,” he added.
The military has responded to the criticism. Wahyu Yudhayana, a military spokesperson, said the training was carried out with full parental consent and the involvement of other stakeholders.
“No child’s rights were violated. Parents agreed, and even school exams continued as planned,” he said. “This is not about military drills. It’s about developing character and personality, which is something other institutions also do.”
Reports say the program stems from a cooperation agreement between the provincial government and military chief General Maruli Simanjuntak. Governor Mulyadi and General Simanjuntak met in March and agreed to work together in nine areas, including human resource development.
This collaboration comes after President Prabowo Subianto, a former army general, passed a law expanding the military’s role in government. The military can now be involved in 14 ministries and agencies, up from 10.
Critics argue that this trend poses a threat to Indonesia’s democracy. Many remember the country’s history under Suharto’s military-led regime from 1966 to 1998, when power was centralized and the military dominated public life.
