West Java Deputy Speaker: Family is the First School for Children's Future

On Indonesia's National Family Day, celebrated annually on June 29th, Siti Muntamah, Deputy Speaker of the West Java Provincial DPRD, underscores the foundational role of the family. She emphasizes that the home is the initial and most crucial environment where children learn about life, including love, honesty, manners, responsibility, and ambition.

Muntamah highlights the enduring relevance of Sundanese cultural values like 'silih asih' (mutual affection), 'silih asah' (mutual learning), and 'silih asuh' (mutual guidance). These values, she argues, are even more critical in today's rapidly advancing technological landscape, where families serve as essential havens for sharing and instilling life lessons.

The article acknowledges the significant challenges modern families confront. These include navigating a deluge of information, the pervasive use of gadgets and social media, and potential deviations that can hinder children's development. Compounding these issues is the frequent absence of parents due to work commitments. Muntamah stresses that meeting material needs is insufficient; children require attention, mentorship, and positive role models. She asserts that no technology can replace a parent's embrace or a family conversation, and no school can fully substitute for character education rooted at home.

Education is presented as a shared responsibility, with families being the primary educators. Muntamah calls for collaboration among parents, teachers, community members, religious leaders, and the government to foster safe and nurturing environments for optimal child development. She specifically appeals to the people of West Java to harness their collective spirit of 'gotong royong' (mutual cooperation) and care for one another, urging them not to let children face modern challenges alone. The message concludes with an encouragement to revive habits of mutual reminding, safeguarding, and concern, extending support to children and families in need.