Minister Gus Ipul Reviews Taruna Bhakti Nusantara Programme at Gresik People's School

More than a thousand personnel from the Taruna Bhakti Nusantara programme, drawn from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri), have officially begun their duties at People’s Schools across various regions in Indonesia. They are entrusted with mentoring students in boarding school life through discipline coaching, leadership training, and various extracurricular activities.

Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf, widely known as Gus Ipul, conveyed that all personnel and their accompanying mentors have arrived at their respective assignment locations. He made this statement while inspecting the implementation of the Taruna Bhakti Nusantara programme and the student orientation period at the Integrated People’s School (SRT) 1 Gresik on Monday (3/8).

Gus Ipul emphasised that the coaching provided by the Taruna Bhakti Nusantara is not oriented towards military training. Instead, it focuses on building orderly and independent living habits. The personnel assist students with scouting activities, marching drills, making their beds, caring for personal belongings, and adapting to the discipline of daily academic life within the dormitory environment.

He noted that the programme’s commencement coincides with the new student orientation period currently underway at all People’s Schools. Gus Ipul observed that the process is running well, although teachers, staff, and students are still adapting to the boarding school system and facilities, which are not yet 100 per cent complete.

Gus Ipul further explained that the students of the People’s Schools are children from extremely poor and poor families. They are recruited through an outreach process based on the National Single Socio-Economic Data (DTSEN), rather than through academic selection. Many of these students had previously dropped out of school or had never received formal education.

One of the Taruna Bhakti Nusantara personnel serving at SRT 1 Gresik, First Navy Lieutenant Bagus, expressed pride in the opportunity to mentor the students. He stated that dormitory life is filled with daily routines, but it is precisely through these routines that discipline, responsibility, and a sense of family are built. He encouraged the students not to get bored or feel alone, reminding them that everyone in the dormitory is one family.

Positive changes are already being felt by the students. Arka Nanta Juanito Bolu, a student who has been at the school for a year, admitted he has become more disciplined compared to before he lived in the dormitory. The son of a fisherman with an unstable income, Arka has participated in character-building activities with the Taruna Bhakti Nusantara, including marching drills. His discipline and confidence led to him being trusted to lead the afternoon snack assembly in front of hundreds of students, Minister Gus Ipul, and the Regent of Gresik, Fandi Akhmad. Arka also noted the strong atmosphere of tolerance at the school, where the headmaster personally ensures that non-Muslim students are escorted to church for worship.

During the visit, Gus Ipul engaged in a warm dialogue with the students, encouraging both new and returning students to be confident and showcase their talents. He also watched a marching display performed by the students under the guidance of the Taruna Bhakti Nusantara mentors, which reflected the discipline and spirit instilled by the programme. Before the afternoon break, Gus Ipul and the Regent of Gresik joined the students in the dining hall, where they participated in the snack assembly, a nationality quiz, group singing, and religious chants, creating a lively and spirited atmosphere.

The Integrated People’s School 1 Gresik is built on 6.5 hectares of land and has a capacity of 405 students, comprising 90 elementary, 90 junior high, and 225 senior high school students. Nationally, the total number of students in the People’s Schools has now reached over 43,000, consisting of more than 28,000 new students and over 15,000 returning students. The government estimates that the number of participants will continue to grow this year.