As the holy month of Ramadan drew to a close this year, the President of Indonesia signed a significant new policy: the “PP Tunas.” This regulation, formally known as the Government Regulation on the Governance of Electronic System Operators for Child Protection (Peraturan Pemerintah tentang Tata Kelola Penyelenggara Sistem Elektronik untuk Perlindungan Anak), aims to strengthen safeguards for children against the risks of digital technology use.
The regulation was developed through collaboration with 24 stakeholders and incorporated 287 inputs from various institutions—both national and international—including organizations like UNICEF and Save the Children. The goal is to create a safer digital environment for around 80 million Indonesian children.
The government has also announced eight key programs during the first 150 days of the president’s term—all focused on improving children’s well-being and securing their future.
1. PP Tunas – Child Protection in the Digital Space
PP Tunas aims to protect children from harmful digital content such as violence, pornography, and online scams. It complements the newly revised Law No. 1 of 2024 on Electronic Information and Transactions.
Built on multi-stakeholder collaboration, PP Tunas is expected to serve as a legal framework for managing child-friendly electronic service providers.
2. Sekolah Rakyat – Free Boarding Schools
The Sekolah Rakyat program provides access to free education from elementary to high school for children from underprivileged families. These schools are designed as boarding institutions, offering free tuition, meals, and accommodation. The goal is to enhance educational inclusion for children from low-income communities.
3. Garuda Schools – Schools for High-Achieving Students
Garuda Model Schools are intended for students with high academic potential. These schools focus on developing innovation, 21st-century skills, and preparation for international education standards. The program aims to produce globally competitive students.
4. Nutritious Meals in Schools
One of the government’s key priorities is providing free nutritious meals in schools. The aim is to support children's physical development, reduce the risk of stunting, and help improve students' concentration and academic performance. The program targets elementary to high school students across various regions in Indonesia.
5. Renovation of 10,000+ Schools
The government has launched a large-scale renovation program for over 10,000 schools in poor or damaged condition. The improvements include upgrading school buildings and learning environments. This program is focused on improving the quality of educational facilities in an equitable manner across the country.
6. Distribution of 300,000 Digital Smartboards
To support education digitalization, the government plans to distribute 300,000 digital smartboards to schools. This initiative is aimed at narrowing the technological gap between regions and enhancing interactive classroom learning. The smartboards are expected to serve as teaching tools that support the implementation of a digital-based curriculum.
7. Direct Transfer of Teacher Allowances
A new policy has been introduced for teacher compensation. The government now implements a direct transfer system for teacher allowances and salary increases, depositing funds straight into individual teacher accounts—bypassing local bureaucratic intermediaries. This measure is intended to accelerate disbursement and ensure greater transparency in payment processes.
8. Responding to the “7 Asks on Behalf of Children”
A document titled “7 Asks on Behalf of Children” has served as one of the references for current government policies. It outlines key issues including nutrition, adolescent health, universal education, ending child marriage, and social protection.
Several ongoing government programs—including PP Tunas, free school meals, and educational infrastructure improvements—are considered part of the response to these children’s demands.
Global Context and Development Strategy
In today’s increasingly complex global landscape—marked by trade tensions among major powers and shifting multilateral cooperation patterns—child development is now being viewed as a key component of national development strategy.
The government emphasizes that investment in education, health, and child protection is a long-term development priority, one that impacts not only individual well-being but also the country's resilience in the future.
Still, how far these eight programs will truly impact Indonesian children depends heavily on policy execution, cross-sectoral collaboration, and the commitment to reaching vulnerable groups throughout the country.
