People’s Schools Need Clinics and Support Staff

PARLIAMENTARY, Banyumas — Member of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives F. Alimudin Kolatlena underscored the importance of strengthening protections for students at People’s Schools, especially those who live in dormitories around the clock. He said the schools must do more than meet students’ educational needs: they must also safeguard their physical and mental health and ensure their safety.

Alimudin said that healthcare facilities and support staff are essential to ensuring students receive services and protection while at school. One facility that should be considered is a clinic on the school grounds, so students’ healthcare needs can be addressed quickly and effectively.

“Our children are in the dormitory 24 hours a day. That means they need support not only for their mental health, but their physical health must also be taken care of. That is why it is important to provide adequate facilities and infrastructure, including a clinic at the school,” Alimudin said during a working visit by Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives to Integrated People’s School I Banyumas, Central Java, on Thursday (Nov. 12, 2026).

In addition to healthcare services, Alimudin highlighted the importance of systems to prevent and address various forms of violence in dormitories. He said that students’ round-the-clock interactions could lead to bullying as well as physical, psychological, and sexual violence. Adequate supervision and support systems are therefore needed to mitigate these risks.

He added that the availability of school counselors and support staff should be a priority, so students can access help when they face problems. These staff members are also essential to creating a safe educational environment that supports children’s growth and development.

“Bullying and physical, mental, or sexual violence could happen. That is why counseling, teachers, and teaching staff are important. We will urge the government to ensure that schools have all of these,” said the Gerindra Party lawmaker.

Alimudin said Commission VIII would bring the need for healthcare facilities and support staff to the commission’s leadership to seek funding through state budget deliberations. He expressed hope that adequate facilities and human resources would strengthen the People’s Schools, ensuring that educational programs for children from underprivileged families go hand in hand with the fulfillment of their rights to health and protection.

“We will of course convey this to the leadership and Commission VIII so that funding for clinics at People’s Schools can be pursued in the state budget,” Alimudin said.

Echoing those remarks, Commission VIII member Atalia Praratya said stronger student protection systems must be supported by an adequate number of support staff. She said an ideal ratio would be one support worker for every 10 children, allowing students to receive effective guidance, supervision, and care.

Atalia explained that effective support depends not only on the number of staff available, but also on coordination among everyone at the school. Teachers, student guardians, and dormitory supervisors need to work together to ensure students’ needs are met and they remain safe while living in the dormitory.

“The ideal is one support worker for every 10 children. But of course, it depends on the circumstances. As long as the children can still receive proper guidance and support, I think the number could be higher,” Atalia said.

Beyond the staff-to-student ratio, the Golkar Party lawmaker also stressed the importance of strengthening protection task forces that students can easily reach when they face problems, including bullying. She said accessible reporting channels would help students feel safe and ensure that any problems they encounter are addressed appropriately.

“Bullying can never be completely prevented at any school. But the closer the task forces are and the easier they are for children to reach, the more protected the children will be,” Atalia concluded. (ujm/ssb)