MPLS Must Abandon 'Mental Testing' Pattern, Schools Urged to Become Safe Spaces for New Students

The Coordinator of the Indonesian Education Monitoring Network, Abdullah Ubaid Matraji, has stressed that the Student Orientation Period (MPLS) must undergo a complete paradigm shift. The orientation, which has historically been synonymous with ‘mental testing’, should be abandoned and replaced with a welcoming, safe, and enjoyable process. According to Matraji, the focus of MPLS should be to help new students adapt to the school environment, culture, facilities, and learning systems, rather than serving as an arena for intimidation or perpetuating seniority culture. “The MPLS paradigm must be totally changed. What was previously a ‘mental test’ must become a moment of warm welcome. The focus is helping students get to know the school culture, facilities, learning systems, and teachers through interactive activities, such as collaborative games and enjoyable school tours,” Matraji said on Monday (13/7). He also assessed that the implementation of MPLS should encourage active student participation. Therefore, lengthy lecture methods should be reduced and replaced with activities that give new students space to introduce themselves, showcase their interests and talents, and convey their hopes for their education at the school. Matraji reminded that the first day of school determines a student’s initial impression of the education world. Consequently, a negative experience during MPLS has the potential to disrupt the learning process in the long term. “MPLS is the front gate of our education system. If the first day of school is already marked by fear or pressure, the subsequent learning process will be hampered. Schools must become a third safe space for children, after home and the family environment,” he stated. In addition to changing the activity patterns, Matraji urged schools to stop all practices that could potentially humiliate new students. He highlighted the continued use of unreasonable attributes, such as burlap bags, excessive hair ties, and degrading name tags. According to him, such attributes only place new students in an inferior position and open the door to bullying from the very first day of school. “The use of strange or humiliating attributes must be strictly prohibited. Such practices psychologically place students in an inferior position and make them vulnerable to bullying,” he stressed. Furthermore, Matraji requested that every school establish an easily accessible complaint mechanism during the MPLS period. The complaint channel must guarantee the confidentiality of the reporter’s or victim’s identity so that students are not afraid to report suspected bullying or violence. “Schools are obliged to provide and announce a complaint channel that guarantees the confidentiality of the reporter’s identity. From the very first day, new students must know where to report if they experience or witness unpleasant actions,” he concluded.