Deputy Minister Fajar Riza Ul Haq: Friendly MPLS Must Nurture Children's Dreams

Deputy Minister of Basic and Secondary Education (Wamendikdasmen), Fajar Riza Ul Haq, has emphasised that the Friendly School Environment Introduction Period (MPLS) must not stop at the slogan of being free from bullying and violence. According to him, MPLS must transform into a strategic space to recognise the potential and nurture the dreams of new students. ‘MPLS is not just a welcome event. A friendly MPLS must cultivate dreams, self-confidence, and a passion for learning. Every child must begin to imagine what they will become and what benefits they can provide to society,’ Fajar said while motivating new students at SMA Labschool Kebayoran, Jakarta, on Monday. In front of the students, Fajar shared an inspirational story about his educational journey as the child of a teacher from a modest family in Sukabumi. In 1995, he travelled to Madrasah Aliyah Programme Khusus Darussalam in Ciamis to pursue his dream of entering a top university or continuing his studies in the Middle East. However, the 1998 crisis and financial constraints thwarted those plans, forcing him to accept reality and continue his studies at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta. ‘I was certainly disappointed, but life’s path is full of surprises. Failure on one path is not the end of your aspirations. Do not lose your way and do not give up. The road to your dreams is not always as beautiful as imagined,’ he recalled. Beyond personal motivation, the Deputy Minister invited new students to train their leadership spirit from an early age. He stressed that true leaders are those who can serve as role models and drive positive change in their surroundings. Addressing the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, Fajar reminded students that academic intelligence alone is no longer sufficient. Future human excellence will heavily depend on soft skills. ‘Human excellence lies in empathy, the ability to communicate, collaborate, and understand the feelings of others. Do not let us become skilled at using technology but lose the ability to speak, play, and care for our friends,’ he asserted. This message aligns with the implementation of Permendikdasmen Number 12 of 2026, which stipulates that MPLS must be based on the principles of a Safe and Comfortable School Culture, focusing on introducing students’ potential, the curriculum, and the school environment without any elements of bullying, violence, or illegal fees. MPLS 2026 is positioned as the initial gateway for schools to understand the unique needs of each student in order to design appropriate intellectual, social, and emotional support. ‘Make the next three years a time to forge yourselves. Respect your parents, teachers, friends, and alma mater. May you become leaders who make us proud,’ Fajar concluded.