RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is strengthening child protection in madrasahs and Islamic boarding schools through safer education services and character development. The commitment was delivered by Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasaruddin Umar, in Jakarta on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.

The statement was made during the Suara Anak Indonesia 2026 aspiration forum facilitated by the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection. Children representatives shared their concerns about protection, education quality, and learning environments.

He said madrasahs and Islamic boarding schools must become safe spaces for children. He appreciated the courage of young participants in delivering their aspirations openly, politely, and responsibly.

“I am proud of all of you. You have expressed your aspirations openly, politely, and responsibly. This shows that Indonesian children have great concern for the future of education and child protection,” he said.

The children raised several issues, including bullying prevention, protection in boarding schools, educational facilities, scholarship assistance, teacher welfare, and digital literacy. The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs currently oversees around 84,000 madrasahs and 42,000 Islamic boarding schools nationwide.

Nasaruddin affirmed that limited resources should not reduce attention to child protection and education quality. He said the ministry will continue improving services through collaboration with various stakeholders.

Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, Arifah Fauzi, said the aspirations were collected through a participatory process involving children from various regions. She emphasized that children’s voices should become input for government policies.

The aspiration delivery was part of the Young Indonesian Leadership Program for Child Rights (KEMUDI ANAK). Through the Ministerial Roadshow, child representatives conveyed recommendations directly to policymakers.

The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs will use the recommendations to strengthen child protection policies in religious education environments. The effort aims to create safe, comfortable, and child-friendly madrasahs and Islamic boarding schools across Indonesia.