Ministry of Social Affairs and PB Inkanas Collaborate to Strengthen Character Education in People's Schools
The Ministry of Social Affairs and the National Karate-Do Institute (PB Inkanas) have officially entered into a collaboration to teach karate as an extracurricular activity in People’s Schools. The MoU and cooperation agreement were signed by Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) and PB Inkanas General Chairman Police Commissioner General Ramdani Hidayat in Depok on 14 April.
Gus Ipul explained that karate was selected as a means to strengthen character education for students at People’s Schools, which are boarding schools for children from the most disadvantaged families.
According to him, this is something particularly needed, especially for reinforcing character education in People’s Schools.
“As is known, People’s Schools are boarding schools where the students come from the least able families, where they are educated continuously for 24 hours,” said Gus Ipul in a written statement on Tuesday (14/4/2026).
In addition to academic and religious education, People’s School students will now also receive martial arts extracurricular activities.
“Specifically today, we want to provide reinforcement by giving People’s School students the opportunity to learn martial arts, in this case karate,” explained Gus Ipul.
Through this programme, Gus Ipul hopes that the students will grow more confident and develop strong character.
“More confident and understanding what they should do when there are, say, things that do not align with existing norms,” he added.
PB Inkanas General Chairman Police Commissioner General Ramdani Hidayat emphasised that ethical education will be the foundation of this programme, not just martial arts techniques.
“Because in any martial arts activity, ethics should be prioritised. If ethics is prioritised, they will be able to respect their peers, both friends, younger siblings, and even their parents. That is what we hope for and what we are preparing,” said Ramdani.
For implementation, Inkanas will coordinate with regional executives and Brimob Company Commanders across Indonesia, given that People’s Schools are spread across 166 locations.
“So actually, we won’t have any difficulties. As mentioned by the Minister, there are 166 locations (People’s Schools). So we just need to issue a circular or directive to, especially the Brimob Company Commanders throughout Indonesia, to assist in ensuring that character education in People’s Schools can run continuously,” he revealed.
Regarding uniforms, Ramdani assured that students do not need to purchase special equipment.
“According to us, it’s not necessary (uniforms), because that would be burdensome. So they already have sports clothes, we can just use sports clothes. The important thing is that the objectives and benefits can be achieved,” said Ramdani.
Gus Ipul concluded with great hopes that the programme will produce a tough and characterful generation.
“The main point is to create a generation that is tough and has character. Having character means discipline, achievement, love for the homeland, love for parents; all of that makes a characterful generation. A characterful generation is the capital to win in the future,” Gus Ipul concluded.
For information, the event was also attended by Secretary General of the Ministry of Social Affairs Robben Rico, PB Inkanas Executive Chairman Police Commissioner General (Retired) Condro Kirono, and Rector of Tulungagung University (UNITA) Muharsono.