TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf stated that involving Military Academy (Akmil) cadets in the orientation period for Sekolah Rakyat (People's Schools) was a directive from President Prabowo Subianto. This policy is reportedly inseparable from the status of these schools as a part of the government’s priority programs.
Gus Ipul, as the minister is familiarly known, mentioned that the Ministry of Social Affairs initially sent a letter to the Ministry of Defense to request assistance from the academy's cadets. The Ministry of Defense then responded to the request.
"Of course, we are carrying out all of this, both the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Social Affairs, in accordance with the President's directive," he said when contacted on Friday, June 26, 2026.
He explained that around 1,000 Akmil cadets will be deployed during the orientation period for Sekolah Rakyat, scheduled for August 1-7, 2026. Under the plan, each school will be assisted by at least five active cadets currently undergoing education at the Military Academy. They will be stationed across roughly 166 Sekolah Rakyat set to begin operations for the 2026/2027 academic year.
Gus Ipul emphasized that the cadets' involvement will only last for one week during the orientation period. After that, they will no longer participate in any teaching activities. "This is only for one week of assistance, no more," he said.
During the orientation, he continued, the cadets will guide students in practicing basic daily life habits. The mentorship includes tasks like making the bed upon waking up, maintaining personal hygiene, caring for footwear, organizing personal belongings, and wearing uniforms neatly. "Simple but very fundamental things," he said.
He stressed that building discipline is essential for students to develop the strong character required of future leaders. For the Secretary-General of the Nahdlatul Ulama Central Board, the discipline training traditionally applied within military academies represents the ideal system to instill such traits in students.
"One of the best ways to reinforce discipline is to learn from schools within the TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces) environment," he said.
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