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| Brebes News - Brebes regency launches a pilot programme for child-friendly schools in 10 districts to promote safe, inclusive and supportive learning environments. |
BREBES, Indonesia — The Brebes regency government has launched a pilot programme to implement Child-Friendly Schools in 10 districts, aiming to create safer, more inclusive learning environments that support children’s academic, emotional, and social development.
The initiative, locally known as Sekolah Ramah Anak (SRA), reflects the local administration’s commitment to improving education quality while ensuring the protection and well-being of students.
A Holistic Approach to Education
Child-Friendly Schools are designed to go beyond academic instruction. The concept integrates physical safety, emotional support, and positive social interaction into everyday school activities. Schools participating in the pilot are required to adopt policies that prevent violence, discrimination, and bullying.
Teachers involved in the programme receive training on inclusive teaching methods, positive communication, and character-based education. Students are encouraged to actively participate in classroom discussions and school decision-making processes.
Selection of Pilot Districts
According to the Brebes regency administration, the 10 districts were selected based on the number of schools, student population, and the readiness of school leadership. Community support, including engagement from parents and local leaders, was also a key consideration.
Education officials said the pilot areas demonstrated strong commitment to implementing child-friendly principles and were prepared to serve as models for other districts.
Key Components of the Pilot Programme
The trial phase includes a series of concrete measures, such as teacher and staff training workshops, the introduction of basic counselling and mentoring services, and the expansion of extracurricular activities focused on creativity, sports, and community engagement.
Parents are involved through regular school meetings, while local communities are encouraged to support the programme by contributing to school facilities and activities. The regency government plans to conduct evaluations every six months to assess progress and collect feedback from students, teachers, and parents.
Public Response and Ongoing Challenges
Parents and educators have largely welcomed the programme. Several teachers said the training helped them build stronger relationships with students without relying on punitive discipline.
Despite the positive response, challenges remain. Limited resources mean that not all schools can immediately provide counselling facilities or dedicated support staff. In addition, some teachers require time to adapt to the child-friendly approach, which differs from conventional teaching methods.
Ensuring long-term funding and sustained policy support will be critical to the programme’s success beyond the pilot phase.
Plans for Expansion
If the pilot programme proves effective, the Brebes regency government plans to expand Child-Friendly Schools to all districts. The long-term goal is to ensure that every school in Brebes meets child-friendly standards and provides a safe, supportive learning environment.
Officials said the initiative is a long-term investment in developing a resilient, confident, and socially responsible younger generation.
Conclusion
The launch of the Child-Friendly School pilot in Brebes represents a significant step toward education reform at the local level. While the programme faces financial and operational challenges, it highlights a growing emphasis on child protection and inclusive education in Indonesia’s regional development policies.