THE HEAD OF MTBI SPEAKS AT CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP FOR CHILD – FRIENDLY SCHOOL AT FOR JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL IN MEDAN HELD BY EDUCATION OFFICE OF MEDAN

Amirul Bani

Medan, April 23, 2025 — The Medan City Education Office held a Capacity Building Program on Child-Friendly Schools (SRA) for junior high schools (SMP) on Wednesday and Thursday, April 22–23, 2025. This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to creating safe, comfortable, inclusive, and child-rights-oriented educational environments across all schools in Medan.

The event was officially opened by Mr. Riki, Head of Facilities and Infrastructure at the Medan City Education Office, who emphasized the importance of collaboration among schools, parents, and communities in realizing Child-Friendly Schools. “A Child-Friendly School is not just a program—it is a collective effort to ensure the fulfillment of children’s rights within the educational setting,” he stated.

One of the keynote speakers was Maslathif Dwi Purnomo, M.Hum., Ph.D., Head of the Master’s Program in English Education (Tadris Bahasa Inggris), Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training, State Islamic University of North Sumatra (UINSU). In his presentation, Dr. Maslathif addressed various strategies for implementing Child-Friendly School principles at the junior high school level, including inclusive pedagogical approaches, violence prevention, and strengthening empathetic communication between educators and students.

“A Child-Friendly School is not only free from violence but also fosters a learning culture that values participation, diversity, and students’ psychological well-being,” he explained during one of the discussion sessions.

This activity also served as a form of social engagement between the Master’s Program in English Education at FITK UINSU and the Medan City Education Office, aimed at enhancing the contribution of academic institutions in supporting local government programs, especially in the fields of education and child protection.

Attended by principals, guidance counselors, and school committee representatives from various junior high schools in Medan, the event is expected to strengthen the systematic and sustainable implementation of the Child-Friendly School concept.

Reported by, Zulfikar Noor