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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

BKKBN Maluku Promotes Father Takes Child to School Movement on First Day of School

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The BKKBN in Maluku is promoting a "Father Takes Child to School" movement on the first day of school across 11 districts.
  • The initiative aims to strengthen fathers' involvement in early childhood care and development.
  • This movement is part of a national program to increase fatherly engagement and reduce the phenomenon of "fatherless" children.

The National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) in Maluku province is launching a synchronized "Father Takes Child to School" (GAMAS) movement across 11 districts and cities. This initiative seeks to enhance fathers' engagement in their children's upbringing from an early age.

The Father Takes Child to School movement is not just about taking a child to school, but becomes a symbol of a father's presence in a child's growth.

— Edi SetiawanHead of BKKBN Maluku explained the symbolic meaning of the movement.

Edi Setiawan, head of the Maluku BKKBN, explained that GAMAS is an implementation of a national program designed to reinforce the role of fathers within the family. He emphasized that the act of accompanying a child to school on the first day symbolizes a father's presence in their development, providing a sense of security, emotional support, and boosting the child's confidence.

GAMAS is also integrated into the "Gerakan Ayah Teladan Indonesia" (Indonesian Exemplary Father Movement), aiming to increase paternal involvement and mitigate the impact of "fatherless" situations. Research indicates that active fatherly involvement positively influences children's social and emotional development, as well as their academic performance. The first day of school is seen as a prime opportunity to foster this crucial emotional bond.

The Father Takes Child to School movement is part of the Indonesian Exemplary Father Movement. Its main goal is to increase father's involvement in child-rearing while reducing the phenomenon of fatherless or minimal father's role in a child's life.

— Edi SetiawanEdi Setiawan described the broader aims of the initiative.

The movement involves local family planning extension centers and counselors. Fathers participating in GAMAS will accompany their children to school, interact with teachers, and offer motivation. BKKBN hopes GAMAS becomes a sustained effort, reminding everyone that child-rearing is a shared responsibility between mothers and fathers. This engagement today is viewed as an investment in raising a confident, character-driven, and competitive generation for Indonesia's future.

GAMAS is expected to be a sustainable movement that reminds us that child education is a shared responsibility of fathers and mothers.

— Edi SetiawanEdi Setiawan expressed hopes for the long-term impact of the movement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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