Through Gamas, Fathers Play a Vital Role for Children with Special Needs

Minister of Population and Family Development (Mendukbangga)/Head of BKKBN Wihaji has emphasised the important role of fathers for children with special needs through the Gerakan Ayah Mengantar Anak di Hari Pertama Sekolah (Gamas) movement. Through Circular Letter (SE) of the Mendukbangga/Head of BKKBN Number 17 of 2026 concerning the Gerakan Ayah Mengambil Rapor Anak ke Sekolah (Gemar) and Gamas, Wihaji appreciated the Ministry of PAN-RB for issuing a letter of support to ministries and agencies to provide dispensation for fathers who are late for work because they are taking their children to school. “The support letter was issued to confirm that a father’s lateness to the workplace must not be a reason for salary deductions. Today, I am pleased to visit SLB Negeri 2 Jakarta to see Gamas, because the main key in accompanying children with special needs is patience. For this reason, fathers need to be actively involved in parenting as part of building the nation’s next generation,” said Wihaji in Jakarta on Monday. He mentioned that Indonesia’s current population reaches 278 million with 74 million families. Around 46 million families have children aged 10-24 years, and among these families are those who have children with special needs requiring more attention. Wihaji also stated that based on family data collection, around 25 per cent of Indonesian children experience a fatherless condition, meaning they lose the father figure in parenting even though the father is present. This occurs because fathers are too focused on earning a living, so they are less familiar with their children’s school life and development. “Fathers still need to be actively involved in parenting as part of building the nation’s next generation. Do not let mobile phones become the ‘new parents’ because our children spend around 8–10 hours every day with gadgets,” he said. He reminded that mobile phone use greatly influences children’s mindsets and behaviour, including children with special needs who require greater attention.