Presidential Directive on Student Safety
Jakarta, Indonesia – President Prabowo Subianto has officially announced the establishment of an Emergency Bridge Task Force, a critical initiative aimed at ensuring the safe passage of students to schools in remote regions across Indonesia. The directive was issued on Friday, November 28, 2025, during the 2025 National Teachers' Day commemoration in Jakarta, and also highlighted at the Annual Meeting of Bank Indonesia.
The President's decision follows numerous reports and distressing videos depicting children in isolated areas forced to navigate dangerous river crossings and inadequate infrastructure to access education. 'Our children are crying out — we must respond!' President Prabowo stated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. He added, 'I cannot accept that children are risking their lives every day just to go to school.'
Addressing Infrastructure Deficiencies
Indonesia faces a significant challenge with an estimated 300,000 river crossings and similar points nationwide that require proper bridge infrastructure. The newly formed task force is mandated to tackle this extensive need by designing and constructing a vast network of bridges, including pedestrian crossings, to improve connectivity and reduce physical barriers to school attendance.
President Prabowo has set an ambitious target, aiming for the completion of all necessary bridges by next year (2026). This expedited timeline underscores the government's commitment to swiftly resolve a long-standing issue affecting the safety and educational opportunities of Indonesian youth.
Collaborative National Effort
The Emergency Bridge Task Force will operate as a multi-institutional effort, drawing on resources and expertise from various sectors. Key entities involved in this national undertaking include:
- The Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Brian Yuliarto, who has been directed to mobilize universities and their civil engineering departments to assist in the design and planning phases.
- The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), with a specific call for Army engineering battalions (Zeni units) to deploy directly to priority locations for construction.
- The National Police (Polri), particularly Mobile Brigade (Brimob) personnel, who will also be involved in assisting rural communities with the construction efforts.
- Relevant ministries and agencies, tasked with ensuring swift execution and minimizing bureaucratic delays.
President Prabowo stressed a streamlined approach, declaring, 'No more seminars, no more symposiums. We get it done. We finish the job.' He emphasized that 'Execution is the key now' to ensure that the fundamental problems faced by citizens are addressed without delay.
Broader Educational Vision
This initiative is part of President Prabowo's broader commitment to enhancing safe and equitable access to education across Indonesia. By addressing critical infrastructure gaps, the government aims to support the advancement of education and ensure that all Indonesian children have the opportunity to attend school without risking their lives. The task force reflects a strategic focus on grassroots problems and a vision for a prosperous and advanced Indonesia.
5 Comments
Comandante
The President's commitment to addressing this critical infrastructure gap for students is a positive step. Yet, I hope this focused effort doesn't divert resources from other equally vital educational needs, like teacher training or school facilities in remote areas.
Bermudez
The idea of a multi-institutional effort is promising for efficiency, but proper oversight and accountability mechanisms must be robust. Without clear checks and balances, even well-intentioned projects can fall prey to inefficiencies or local political interests.
Africa
Why only now? This problem has existed for decades. It feels like a last-minute push rather than genuine long-term planning.
Coccinella
Acknowledging the danger students face is crucial, and the task force is a direct response to that. However, the push to bypass 'seminars and symposiums' could lead to a lack of comprehensive environmental impact assessments or community input, which are vital for such large projects.
Muchacho
It's commendable that student safety is being prioritized with this bridge initiative, and the urgency is understandable. However, the ambitious timeline of completing 300,000 crossings by next year raises serious questions about feasibility and potential quality compromises.