33 Daycares Found Operating Without Permits in Yogyakarta

RRI.CO.ID, Yogyakarta - The Yogyakarta City Administration revealed that, according to its latest investigation, 33 childcare facilities are operating without official permits from the regional administration (OPD). 37 daycare facilities have been recorded as complying with licensing requirements.

These findings emerged after a case of child abuse and neglect was reported at a daycare in the Umbulharjo area. The incident prompted a comprehensive inspection of all childcare facilities in the city.

Yogyakarta Mayor Hasto Wardoyo emphasized that this issue should not be taken lightly. He stated that illegal daycares are not just an administrative matter, but also a matter of children's safety and future.

"For the past two days, we have been raiding childcare facilities. So far, we have identified 37 licensed daycares and 33 unlicensed ones," he said, as quoted by Antara.

He said unlicensed daycares will undergo continuous audits, as the number of such facilities may continue to increase.

"This serves as a shared learning experience across our sectors, and we will then be able to improve future regulations," he said.

The mayor stated that identifying daycares and ensuring their licensing is an urgent step for the city administration to take to provide the community with trustworthy, reliable institutions.

“We are fully aware that children affected by this situation have been placed in other daycares. This is an urgent matter, as both parents are working,” he said.

Based on the identification of these daycares, he stated that there are at least 15 daycares or other childcare facilities in the Yogyakarta area, each with a capacity of up to 78 children.

The Yogyakarta city administration has also covered the costs of caring for the victims' children until the end of the semester. This includes psychological counseling and health services.

After communicating with the victims' families, it was determined that a number of children had developmental disorders, ranging from psychological problems to physical conditions such as stunting.

Therefore, the city administration enlisted the help of medical personnel, including pediatricians and developmental specialists, to conduct comprehensive examinations.

"In addition to addressing psychological issues, we must conduct physical examinations and address any physical disorders with pediatricians and child development specialists," he said. ***