Taruna Bhakti Sekolah Rakyat Commences, Says Gus Ipul: Building Students' Character Foundation
The Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs, Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul), has officially dispatched participants of the 2026 Taruna Bhakti programme—comprising cadets from the TNI Academy and the Police Academy (Akpol)—to Sekolah Rakyat during an assembly held at the Adisutlag Base Ops, Yogyakarta. More than 1,000 selected cadets will participate in the programme, with five cadets assigned to each Sekolah Rakyat location to provide mentorship over a five-day period.
Gus Ipul explained that the purpose of the cadets’ presence at Sekolah Rakyat is to serve as role models for discipline and to demonstrate the management of dormitory life. “The cadets know exactly what it feels like to be away from home, to sleep not in one’s own room, and to wake up early without being prompted by parents; this is what must be passed on to the students of Sekolah Rakyat,” Gus Ipul stated in a written release on Saturday (1/8/2026).
Following the assembly, Gus Ipul, accompanied by Deputy Social Affairs Minister Agus Jabo Priyono, reviewed cadet demonstrations providing guidance to students from SRMA 20 Sleman and SRMA 43 Magelang. These demonstrations included instruction on cupboard and bed tidiness, field psychology, and marching drills.
In his address, Gus Ipul identified seven key areas for cadets to strengthen during their mentorship: scouting, character and personality development, national insight (Wawasan Nusantara), extracurricular and group activities, personal and dormitory environmental hygiene, national defence, and religious activities. “This is the character foundation that will support these children long after the cadets have returned home. Therefore, I leave a message with the cadets: accompany the Sekolah Rakyat students with full empathy; be the older sibling who serves as an exemplar for them,” Gus Ipul added.
The Taruna Bhakti programme is being implemented alongside the School Environment Introduction Period (MPLS) at Sekolah Rakyat, as new students begin to adapt to their new surroundings. Gus Ipul emphasised that there must be no bullying, physical or sexual violence, or intolerance during these activities. “These three things are red lines that are non-negotiable for anyone, including all of us. If we see such things occurring, we have an obligation to stop them, guide, and direct them towards more positive actions,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, the Commander of the TNI Academy, Lieutenant General TNI R Sidharta Wisnu Graha, also provided motivation and direction to the students during the demonstration review. “You must be resilient in facing challenges, obstacles, hurdles, and threats. Be resilient; if you are not resilient, you are not a warrior,” said Wisnu.
The event was also attended by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Social Affairs Robben Rico, the Director General of Social Rehabilitation Supomo, the Director General of Protection and Social Security Agus Zainal Arifin, and other high-ranking officials from the TNI and National Police.