Military Academy Cadets to Train 'Sekolah Rakyat' Students, DPR Warns Against Militarisation

The plan by the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) to involve Military Academy (Akmil) cadets in the training of Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools) students has drawn responses from various parties. Member of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Sandi Fitrian Noor, welcomed the ministry’s plan to involve graduates of the Military Academy in coaching Sekolah Rakyat students. He stated that the effort to build discipline, leadership, nationalism, and patriotism is an urgent need in preparing a resilient generation to face global challenges. However, Sandi cautioned that the policy should not be interpreted as an attempt to introduce a military approach into education. He explained that character education has a philosophy, methods, and objectives that differ from military education. ‘I see the government’s intention as very good. We all want to produce a young generation that is disciplined, has integrity, possesses a national spirit, and is responsible. However, character education must remain within a humanist pedagogical corridor. The public must not get the impression that schools are becoming spaces for militarisation. What should be transformed are the positive values, not the military culture,’ Sandi said in a written statement on Wednesday, 1 July 2026. Commission VIII of the DPR RI is keen to ensure that all policies in Sekolah Rakyat are genuinely based on the best interests of the child. According to the Golkar Party legislator from the South Kalimantan I electoral district, the majority of Sekolah Rakyat students come from poor and vulnerable families who need a safe, supportive, and inclusive educational environment that can restore their self-confidence. Sandi explained that various international studies, such as PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) and the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), show that character building in students is far more effective when carried out through role modelling, habituation, strengthening school culture, and positive relationships between educators and students. Therefore, character building cannot rely solely on short-term disciplinary training but requires a continuous educational process. ‘Discipline is indeed important, but discipline is not merely about obeying rules. Discipline must be born from awareness, responsibility, and self-control. These values must be the spirit of coaching in Sekolah Rakyat,’ he asserted.