15,677 Primary and Junior High Students in Badung Begin MPLS, Education Office: Free from Hazing

A total of 15,677 new students at the primary school (SD) and junior high school (SMP) levels in Badung have officially begun the Friendly School Environment Introduction Period (MPLS) for the 2026/2027 Academic Year. The agenda, centred at SMP Negeri 1 Mengwi, carries the theme ‘A New Day, Safe and Comfortable at School’ to welcome pupils to their new educational stage.

‘We have officially launched the MPLS in Badung, centred at SMP Negeri 1 Mengwi. This year’s MPLS carries the theme of a Friendly MPLS, meaning being friendly to the environment, to the school, to teachers, and to friends,’ said the Head of the Badung Education, Youth and Sports Office (Disdikpora), I Gusti Made Dwipayana, on Monday (13/7/2026).

According to Disdikpora Badung data, the thousands of participants in the Friendly MPLS consist of 8,185 primary school students and 7,492 junior high school students. All participants will undergo a series of introductory activities as initial preparation before beginning the learning process.

‘We want to avoid all forms of bullying. Through this MPLS, children are given the skills to be friendly towards friends, teachers, and the school environment,’ Dwipayana said.

The Friendly MPLS programme is designed to help new students adapt to the school community, learning culture, and the curriculum they will follow. The activities also include material on preventing social deviations through the Seven Habits of Great Indonesian Children Movement, instilling discipline, responsibility, and care, as well as preventing various social issues.

‘We hope that through this year’s MPLS, children can adapt more quickly because they are in a new environment,’ Dwipayana hoped.

Dwipayana stressed that all activities must be educational and enjoyable for the students. Schools are required to ensure there are no practices of hazing or non-educational assignments during the orientation period.