TNI-Polri Cadets to Mentor Students at 178 'Sekolah Rakyat'
The Ministry of Social Affairs is involving 2,000 TNI-Polri cadets to strengthen character education for students at 178 Sekolah Rakyat locations across Indonesia. The mentoring programme will take place over five days from 3-7 August 2026. The cadets, supported by 365 accompanying officers, will be deployed simultaneously under the principles of safety, order, education, and coordination at each location.
Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, known as Gus Ipul, said the involvement of the cadets is needed to help build the character of Sekolah Rakyat students, particularly during the initial learning period. He made the remarks at the Ministry of Social Affairs office in Central Jakarta, with Secretary-General Robben Rico also in attendance.
“This is something that Sekolah Rakyat students truly need, because from the cadets, they can learn a great deal, especially regarding how to cultivate positive discipline, responsibility, and independence,” Gus Ipul said in a written statement on Thursday (2/7/2026). According to him, the presence of the cadets is also expected to strengthen national insight and love for the homeland, while building an educational, child-friendly, and exemplary growth environment.
In the programme, the cadets will act as older siblings, learning companions, and character role models for the students. “For example, as older siblings, they will accompany and provide examples of positive daily behaviour. As character role models, they will instil discipline, social awareness, and love for Indonesia. As learning companions, they will encourage students to recognise their potential, cooperate, and have the courage to try,” explained Gus Ipul.
He emphasised that all activities are designed to build students’ character holistically through an educational approach. The material provided includes strengthening character and personality, national insight and love for the homeland, positive discipline and responsibility, scouting skills, self-resilience, cooperation, and social awareness. “Of course, the implementation is guided by activities that are educational, inspirational, and oriented towards the best interests of the students,” Gus Ipul said.
He assessed that the initial learning period is a crucial moment for both students and teachers to adapt to one another. Therefore, the mentoring from the cadets is expected to assist the students’ adaptation process in their new environment. According to Gus Ipul, the desired outcome is for Sekolah Rakyat students to grow not only academically intelligent but also mentally strong, confident, and of good character. “We hope that Sekolah Rakyat students will become more confident, recognise their potential, be more positively disciplined and responsible, be able to cooperate and respect others, and be proud to be Indonesian children,” he said.
On this occasion, Gus Ipul also expressed appreciation to the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, the Chief of the Indonesian National Police, and the Minister of Defence for their support of the Sekolah Rakyat programme. “Thank you to the TNI Commander, the National Police Chief, and the Minister of Defence for providing the opportunity for cadets from the Military Academy and the Police Academy to offer mentoring and learning to Sekolah Rakyat students,” he concluded.