RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Deputy Chairwoman of Commission X of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), Kurniasih Mufidayati, said the draft National Education System Bill (RUU Sisdiknas) will not only regulate the curriculum but also require schools to provide guidance and counseling (BK) or psychological services for students, teachers, and education personnel.

“With cases of suicide attempts among children as young as fourth grade, including in several universities and possibly even elementary schools, it all starts with character and religious education, which must be strengthened,” Kurniasih said in Jakarta on Friday, May 1, 2026, as quoted on the DPR RI website.

This initiative follows a rise in bullying and mental health disorders, even in elementary schools. The DPR believes systemic intervention is needed.

In the bill currently being drafted, Commission X plans to include articles that provide comprehensive protection for students, educators, and education personnel against violence and bullying.

“We will need an article that regulates the character education curriculum in the National Education Department. Protection for students, protection for educators and education personnel, all of these must be included,” she explained.

Kurniasih, who previously led the drafting and synchronization teams for the Health Bill, said she will adopt the same approach for education, including provisions to protect against bullying and violence.

“In health, there are also cases of bullying and harassment affecting patients and health workers. So, we will need an article that regulates this,” she said.

To safeguard students’ mental health, the bill will also require schools to provide counseling services or to have psychologists available. “Schools should have a guidance counselor or a psychologist who can anticipate mental health issues,” Kurniasih said.

The proposal emerged after Commission X held an audience with the Indonesian Psychological Association, which requested mental health facilities in schools.

According to Kurniasih, having a guidance counselor or psychologist in every school is crucial to preventing mental health decline that could lead to tragedy.

She also emphasized that character and religious education must be mandatory curricula strengthened at all levels. “Character education is absolutely essential today. With recent cases at several universities and perhaps even elementary schools, it all starts with character and religious education, which must be strengthened,” she stressed.

Through these policies, the DPR hopes that the National Education System Bill will provide concrete solutions to reduce bullying and prevent serious incidents that threaten students' safety and future. ***