Minister Urges Flexible Work for Civil Servants on Children's First Day of School
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia — Minister of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform (PANRB) Rini Widyantini has officially circulated a circular to officials at ministries and agencies as well as regional governments, calling for flexible working arrangements for civil servants (ASN) who wish to accompany their children on the first day of school.
The circular, numbered B/257/M.KT.02/2026 and issued on Friday (10 July 2026), is titled as guidance supporting the strengthening of family resilience and the role of families for ASN employees.
Through the letter, Personnel Management Officials (PPK) at government institutions are asked to give ASN employees with children at early childhood education, primary and secondary levels the opportunity to accompany their children on the first day of school, referring to PANRB Ministerial Regulation No. 4/2025 on the Flexible Performance of Official Duties for ASN Employees at Government Institutions.
“The implementation of this work flexibility must not diminish the quality of governance and public services. On the contrary, we hope that through this policy ASN employees can work more focusedly, adapt to developments, and achieve better balance in life,” said Rini in a written statement on Friday (10 July 2026).
The flexibility in question includes working from the office, home or any other location — known as WFA (work from anywhere) — as well as dynamic working hours adjusted to organisational needs and the characteristics of the tasks.
PPKs or institutional leaders are given the discretion to determine the flexibility model most suited to them, whilst continuing to prioritise the continuity of governmental duties, the quality of public services and organisational performance.
She expressed hope that, through well-arranged work flexibility, ASN employees as parents can accompany their children on the first day of school without compromising professionalism, productivity or the quality of services to the public.
The circular also aligns with the Fathers Accompanying Children on the First Day of School Movement (GAMAS), regulated under Circular No. 17/2026 of the Minister of Population and Family Development/Head of BKKBN, as part of the national strategy to strengthen family resilience towards Golden Indonesia 2045 and efforts to address the phenomenon of fatherlessness by reinforcing the role of parents, particularly fathers, in child-rearing and education from an early age.
“The presence of a parent in a child’s growth and development is not merely a complement, but an important pillar with profound and long-term impact. This movement is a simple step that can bring psychological benefits by bringing the presence of parents, especially fathers, closer to their children,” Rini affirmed.