PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - West Java Governor, Dedi Mulyadi has prepared a number of strategic programs to improve the education system in West Java starting in 2025.

This was conveyed in a meeting with the leadership of the West Java Provincial Education Office, heads of district/city education offices, and the leadership of the West Java Ministry of Religion Regional Office.

KDM – the Governor's nickname – emphasized his commitment to reforming the education system, especially in the formation of student and teacher character.

"I don't want any more chaos during the acceptance of SMA/MA students. The Education Office and the Ministry of Religion must clearly determine the capacity," he said.

"If it is not sufficient, students must be directed to designated private schools. The provincial government will help finance students who attend private schools, as long as the location is clear," said KDM.

The same thing also applies to the acceptance of elementary and middle school students, which is the authority of the district/city government.

He invited all parties to unite their vision and mission in organizing education in West Java.

In addition to focusing on students, KDM also pays attention to the welfare and quality of teachers, including the recruitment process which must be carried out transparently and professionally.

In the future, teachers in West Java must have standardized characteristics and undergo character training.

Joint Character Education with TNI/Polri

Starting May 2, 2025, KDM targets the implementation of character education in several areas of West Java in collaboration with the TNI and Polri.

"It doesn't have to be in 27 districts/cities straight away. We'll start from areas that are ready and considered vulnerable first, then gradually," he said.

The TNI has prepared around 30 to 40 special barracks for the implementation of this program.

Participants are selected based on an agreement between the school and parents, with priority given to students who are difficult to guide or are indicated to be involved in promiscuity or criminal acts.

"For six months, students will be trained in barracks and will not attend formal school. The TNI will pick up the students directly from their homes to train their character and behavior," explained KDM.

Program financing will be carried out through collaboration between the West Java Provincial Government and the district/city governments involved.

KDM also emphasized several other policies, such as the prohibition of study tours, graduations, and other activities that burden parents.

He also appealed to students not to use motorbikes because they were not old enough.

"A Joint Decree (SKB) must be made immediately between the Education Office and the Ministry of Religion to emphasize (this policy)," he said.

Temporary Suspension of Grant Funds for Educational Foundations

KDM also highlighted the distribution of grant funds to educational foundations which was considered uneven and potentially misdirected.

For this reason, the distribution of grants will be temporarily stopped while waiting for the verification results from the West Java Education Office and Ministry of Religion.

"This plan has been supported by the West Java DPRD," he said.

This step was taken following the discovery of a new foundation that was not verified but received billions of rupiah in funds, which were not used properly to improve the quality of education.

"I don't want grant funds to only be enjoyed by certain parties. This cannot be allowed," he said.

"I will stop it for now. In the future, aid will be based on development programs, not aspirations or political closeness," explained KDM.

KDM also opens up the possibility of distributing grant assistance for the construction of madrasah and junior high schools which are the authority of the district/city Ministry of Religion.

"The provincial government is ready to help build madrasas that have a clear number of students. I don't want there to be any more misuse. I'm waiting for official data from the West Java Ministry of Religion," he said.

He also emphasized that schools that are built should not be close to elementary/middle schools to avoid competition for students.

With this approach, KDM is optimistic that the target of 100 percent school participation up to the SMA/MA level will be achieved throughout West Java.