KBRN, Jakarta: The public is divided over the initiative by West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi to send troubled students and teenagers to military barracks. Some believe the program is effective in improving their behavior, while others remain unconvinced.

Upi from Bone believes that troubled students or teenagers sent to military barracks will develop better attitudes after completing the program. He argues that the military-style training system is an effective method for shaping character and instilling discipline in young people, ultimately helping them improve their behavior.

"Parents and teachers are unable to discipline children whose delinquency has gone too far. Advice from either teachers or parents will no longer be effective, so an alternative through military barracks is necessary," he said in a discussion with RRI Pro 3 on Friday, May 9, 2025, rri.co.id reported.

Robert from Manado concurred with Upi. He expressed hope hopes that students or children who are considered naughty will change their behavior once they understand that continued misbehavior could result in being sent to a military barracks.

“It is difficult to foster children whose delinquency category has gone too far. If the program from the West Java governor becomes a national program, I agree,” Robert said on the same occasion.

Meanwhile, Agung, a resident of Jakarta, raised questions regarding the program's effectiveness. He wondered whether a mere 14 days spent in military barracks could bring about lasting character changes in a child.

Agung also raised concerns about the program's unclear rules and curriculum, a sentiment echoed by the West Java governor. Furthermore, he said, a follow-up program must be implemented after the participants leave the military barracks.

"How will the follow-up guidance ensure that they don’t revert to their previous negative behaviors after leaving the barracks? Moreover, children's education should prioritize love and care from parents and teachers, rather than the strict methods of military barracks," Agung said.

Dedi Mulyadi's program of sending misbehaving students to military barracks has the potential to become a national program. Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai said on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, that he would ask the Elementary and Secondary Education Minister to issue a regulation enabling this activity to be implemented nationwide.

According to him, education in military barracks can help students develop a clearer vision for the future. “It enhances quality, competence, character, mentality, discipline, and responsibility, ensuring that in the next 10 years, Indonesia will have a generation ready to go international,” Minister Natalius Pigai said.

West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi sent a number of students, described as 'naughty,' to military barracks for a 14-day character education program. These students are part of a trial for a new initiative called Special Character Education, Discipline, and National Defense Training.

Governor Dedi gathered youths whom he described as difficult to manage due to addictions to online games, smoking, alcohol, drug use, and involvement in gang fights, sending them to the barracks as part of his response to concerns over the increasing moral decline among teenagers in West Java. ***