Jakarta, August 14, 2026 — Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen) Abdul Mu'ti received appreciation from Save the Children Indonesia as a strategic partner in fulfilling children's rights and protecting them. The appreciation was conveyed at the Child Heroes Festival held by Save the Children Indonesia in Jakarta on Thursday (August 13), which provided a space for children to share their ideas, aspirations, and hopes with stakeholders.
The Children's Heroes Festival provided a platform for 14 children from the Miss Great program to share their ideas and hopes, including on bullying prevention, protection from violence and sexual harassment, and a safe and inclusive school environment.
Responding to these aspirations, Minister Mu'ti stated that the children's idea of schools as safe and comfortable places aligns with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education's (Kemendikdasmen) program to build a safe and comfortable school culture. This also aligns with President Prabowo's directive through the ASRI Culture movement, which stands for Safe, Healthy, Clean, and Beautiful.
"There are many interesting ideas about how schools can be places where students feel safe and comfortable to learn. This aligns with the program we've been implementing, building a safe and comfortable school culture," he said.
According to him, strengthening school culture is carried out using a humanistic, inclusive, and participatory approach through partnerships with various parties, including Save the Children. He also believes that children's aspirations regarding bullying prevention align with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education's program, which requires support from various parties.
"Hopefully, programs like this won't be merely ceremonial, but will become part of a collective movement, even a culture that we implement based on the awareness and vision that the future of this country is determined by our children," said the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education. He hopes schools will be safe spaces for children to learn, interact, and grow together in diversity.
On the same occasion, Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (MenPPPA) Arifah Fauzi emphasized the importance of creating safe spaces for children through the involvement of all parties. Based on the 2024 Child and Adolescent Life Experience Survey, 50.78 percent of children aged 13–17 have experienced at least one form of violence in their lifetime, while 33.64 percent experienced violence in the past 12 months.
Minister Arifah emphasized that the data reflects the experiences of fear, disappointment, worry, and trauma experienced by children. Therefore, all parties need to act before children become victims. "This cannot be done alone. We must work together," she said.
According to him, child protection needs to be implemented by creating a safe environment, responding when violence occurs, and ensuring support for children. These safe spaces need to be present in families, educational institutions, public spaces, and digital spaces.
Minister Arifah also considered the Children's Heroes Festival a crucial opportunity to listen to children's voices. She urged all parties to ensure that children's dreams and aspirations can be realized with shared support.
Meanwhile, Dewi Soeharto, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Save the Children Indonesia Foundation, stated that safe spaces allow children to be themselves without fear of judgment, humiliation, or harm. She believes that creating safe spaces is the responsibility of adults.
"Of course, the first step is to listen to children. Listening isn't just about using our ears, but also about our hearts and minds," Dewi said. She hopes the Children's Heroes Festival will encourage more people to listen to children's voices and take concrete action.*** (Writer & Photographer: Rayhan/Editor: Destian)
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