Leave Seniority Behind: MPLS Must Become a Welcoming Space for New Students

The Masa Pengenalan Lingkungan Sekolah (MPLS) must not become an arena for hazing or seniority between older and new students. Make MPLS a new culture to create schools as welcoming places. This affirmation was conveyed by the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu’ti, during a briefing to students participating in MPLS marking the start of the 2026-2027 academic year at SMKN 2 Malang on Monday (13/7). “I invite you to build a safe and comfortable school culture starting from MPLS. We are trying to create schools as environments where we respect and love one another,” said Abdul Mu’ti. Abdul Mu’ti stressed that MPLS is not a ceremonial activity born from hazing traditions or a showcase of seniority, where older students commit arbitrary and entirely uneducational acts. The government is fully committed to changing and eliminating the hazing traditions that have often emerged, transforming them into traditions that are enjoyable and welcoming for students. “We want to instil a noble culture, honouring our teachers, honouring our parents, and honouring knowledge,” he said. He assessed that students now entering school are individuals with their own potential; regardless of their physical condition, they all have the right to receive quality education services. Therefore, through the implementation of this MPLS, we invite students from all over Indonesia to make the MPLS momentum a first step in forming noble character, exploring self-potential, and welcoming a brilliant future.