Education Ministry Launches MPLS Programme for Integrated National Schools

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) has commenced a series of friendly School Environment Introduction Period (MPLS) activities for students of Integrated National Schools (SNT) in 17 locations starting today. Director General of Early Childhood Education, Primary Education, and Non-formal and Informal Education (Dirjen PAUD Dikdas dan PNFI) at Kemendikdasmen, Gogot Suharwoto, stated that the MPLS material covers three main aspects: introduction to the school environment, introduction to extracurricular activities, and strengthening character and school culture. “The first is the introduction to the school environment. So, what subjects will be studied at each level, including introductions and programmes,” Gogot said during the Opening of the First Batch of Integrated National School MPLS in Bogor Regency, West Java Province, on Monday, which was broadcast via the Kemendikdasmen YouTube channel. He mentioned that students will also be introduced to teaching materials and the Learning Management System (LMS) to be used in the learning process. Beyond academic orientation, he said, the series of friendly MPLS activities also serves as a momentum to help students recognise and develop their talents and potential through extracurricular activities organised by the Integrated National Schools. Gogot stated that Kemendikdasmen is targeting at least 15 types of extracurricular activities to be provided at SNT, with six activities to be launched in the initial phase. Two compulsory activities are Scouts and pencak silat, while the other four extracurriculars include coding, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, choir, the Flag Raising Troop (Paskibraka), and English. “There will be a minimum of 15 extracurriculars, but for the first phase we will open six. Two are compulsory, namely Scouts and pencak silat as they have been recognised by UNESCO,” he said. Gogot added that technology introduction is also part of the extracurricular activities through learning coding, AI, and robotics. According to Gogot, the MPLS material will also be directed towards strengthening students’ character and introducing the culture to be developed within the school environment. “We are also filling the MPLS with character strengthening education and the introduction of culture in the school environment,” he said. In this section of the material, he said students will be introduced to the National Safe and Comfortable Space for Children Movement (Gerakan RANA) as part of the government’s efforts to create a safe and comfortable school environment for all students. He expressed hope that the series of friendly MPLS activities for Integrated National Schools can help students adapt to their new school environment while serving as an initial stage in developing their academic abilities, interests, talents, and character. Kemendikdasmen is ready to organise Integrated National Schools in 17 locations for the 2026/2027 academic year, namely in Bogor Regency, Cianjur Regency, Gowa Regency, Bone Bolango Regency, Tidore Islands City, Nusantara Capital City, Banyumas Regency, Jepara Regency, and Subulussalam City. Other implementation locations include Tarakan City, Donggala Regency, Bolaang Mongondow Regency, North Minahasa Regency, Kupang Regency, Central Buton Regency, Tebo Regency, and East Tanjung Jabung Regency.