PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - West Java Governor, Dedi Mulyadi emphasized that the 2026 Pancawaluya School Environment Introduction Period (MPLS) will be the beginning of character formation for students so that they are ready to face the changing times without losing their identity.

This message was conveyed through a written speech by the Governor of West Java which was read at the opening of the Pancawaluya MPLS in all SMA, SMK, and SLB throughout West Java, Wednesday (15/7/2026).
A total of 424 echelon II and III officials within the West Java Provincial Government were assigned to open MPLS in various schools in West Java.

MPLS is not just the first day of school, but rather the beginning of the character-building process for students in West Java. It's a process of building discipline, fostering responsibility, and accustoming oneself to living with character values that will serve as a lifelong asset.

The Governor explained that character development for students in West Java is based on the Pancawaluya values, which are rooted in the local wisdom of Sundanese culture. These values are embodied in five main character traits: Cageur, Bageur, Bener, Pinter, and Singer.

According to him, technological developments, artificial intelligence, and the rapid flow of information require education to not only focus on academic achievement, but also on building strong character so that students are able to respond to change wisely.
Therefore, schools are encouraged to become spaces that encourage students to apply the Pancawaluya values in their daily lives. These include adopting a healthy lifestyle, respecting teachers and parents, being honest and disciplined, having a passion for learning, and daring to take initiative and benefit the environment.

Character isn't built in a day. It's built from small habits practiced with discipline every day until they become attitudes and behaviors in everyday life.

In his remarks, the Governor also emphasized the importance of discipline as part of character education. This includes implementing a curfew for students, encouraging them not to ride motorcycles to school, and adhering to the rules of the educational environment.
He emphasized that academic achievement must go hand in hand with integrity and good morals.

In fact, for students receiving assistance or scholarships from the West Java Provincial Government, discipline and behavior are an inseparable part of their responsibilities as beneficiaries.

Beyond schools, Dedi believes that successful character education can only be achieved through collaboration between all parties. Parents, teachers, the community, and the government all play equally important roles in shaping West Java's young generation.

In the implementation of the 2026 Pancawaluya MPLS, parents or guardians of students were also asked to sign an integrity pact as a form of support for the implementation of character education in schools.

Through this commitment, the West Java Provincial Government hopes to produce a generation that is not only superior in science, but also has a strong character as the Pancawaluya generation, namely Cageur, Bageur, Bener, Pinter, and Singer.
It is hoped that schools will no longer only produce academically intelligent students, but also produce a generation that is ready to face changing times without losing their identity as humans and as the nation's next generation.

Meanwhile, hundreds of students from SMAN 29 Bandung participated in the first day of MPLS. This first class made history as the first students to begin learning at the new school.

The principal of SMAN 29 Bandung, Agus Ferdiana, along with teachers and students participating in the West Java GEMA Probidik Program, accompanied the entire MPLS series to ensure it was friendly, cheerful, and enjoyable.

On the first day, students participated in various activities, including an introduction to the principal, teachers, and education staff; initial identification of students' social-emotional conditions and learning concentration; literacy and numeracy assessments; identification of talents and interests; an introduction to Pancawaluya character education; MPLS learning contracts; an introduction to deep learning and the eight dimensions of graduate competency; and the Wiyata Mandala insight.

(West Java Communications and Information Service/Agustin Purnawan)