Open University Promotes Child-Friendly and Anti-Bullying Schools in Bogor

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Universitas Terbuka (UT), through its National Community Service Team (PKM) from the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP), is promoting the implementation of anti-bullying and child-friendly schools in Tegal Village, Kemang District, Bogor Regency, West Java. The initiative was disseminated through a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and the dissemination of PKM results from the EQUITY Programme, serving as a collaborative space between universities, the village government, educational institutions, religious leaders, youth organisations, early childhood educators, foundations, and the community to build a safe, inclusive, and child-friendly learning environment. Dony Darma Sagita, Head of the FKIP UT PKM Team, explained in Jakarta on Tuesday that various activities have been carried out sustainably, ranging from developing reading corners in schools in Tegal Village, positive parenting, assisting early childhood education teachers in writing daily learning activity plans, deepening the Merdeka Belajar Curriculum, to other educational activities that support improving the quality of education for children and families. ‘Tegal Village has become a strategic partner for Universitas Terbuka in building a community-based education ecosystem. Over the last three years, various programmes have run well and received strong support from the village government, schools, teachers, parents, and the community,’ he said. Dony assessed that the PKM programme in Tegal Village is not only oriented towards implementing activities but also building an educational ecosystem involving schools, families, the village government, community leaders, and local organisations. Jayadi, representing the village, stated, ‘On behalf of the Tegal Village Government, we express our gratitude to Universitas Terbuka and the UT Institute for Research and Community Service. UT’s PKM activities are very beneficial for the people of Tegal Village. We hope this cooperation can continue in the future.’ The EQUITY Programme (Enhancing Quality Education for International University Impacts and Recognition) is a strategic initiative of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology together with the Education Fund Management Institution (LPDP). The programme is a follow-up to Presidential Regulation Number 111 of 2021 concerning the Education Endowment Fund, aimed at strengthening higher education. It is designed to accelerate the transformation of State Universities with Legal Entity status into World Class Universities and enhance their global reputation through research and publications.