Khofifah urges 128 school principals to strengthen integrity and prevent bullying

Surabaya (ANTARA) - East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa has urged 128 principals of Senior High Schools (SMA), Vocational High Schools (SMK), and Special Needs Schools (SLB) to strengthen integrity and anticipate bullying in educational settings. “Character strengthening must be the primary concern. School principals must interact more frequently with students and ensure their psychological condition is maintained, so that bullying does not occur in the school environment,” Khofifah stated during the inauguration of the 128 school principals at the Negara Grahadi Building in Surabaya on Wednesday. She stressed that school principals have a strategic role in preparing human resources towards Golden Indonesia 2045 through education and early character strengthening for students. According to her, various issues such as bullying, inter-student conflicts, and potential violence must be prevented from an early stage through building harmony in the educational environment, as cases in higher education can originate from earlier levels. In addition, Khofifah also asked school principals to build synergies amid budget limitations, given that the education allocation in the Regional Government Work Plan (RKPD) is not more than 20 percent, so that programmes continue to run effectively and impactfully. “Achievements must not decrease, but programmes must be more optimal through good synergies,” she said. Meanwhile, the Head of the East Java Education Office, Aries Agung Paewai, said that there should have been 130 principals inaugurated, but two were postponed due to ongoing verification of school conditions. Of the 128 school principals, 56 are promotions from teachers, consisting of 23 teachers who are graduates of prospective principal candidates and 33 principals from the non-regular route through the leading teacher programme, while the rest are from mutations. The principal’s term of office lasts for four years, with the regular route allowing up to two periods, while the non-regular route is only one period. Aries added that evaluations are carried out through reward and sanction mechanisms, with assessment indicators including integrity, innovation, and school environmental cleanliness. “Integrity, innovation, and school environmental cleanliness are important indicators in assessing school principal performance,” he said. The East Java Provincial Government is still continuing to fill subsequent school principal positions because around 65 positions are currently vacant and held by acting officials.