Premarital School Graduation in Sinarsari and Sukawening Villages, Dramaga District, Bogor Regency
IPB University successfully held a graduation ceremony for participants of the Premarital School 2024 programme. A total of 36 participants graduated after following a series of intensive programmes of the Premarital School curriculum in Sinarsari and Sukawening Villages, Dramaga District, Bogor Regency.
Premarital School is a collaborative programme between the Directorate of Agromaritime Community Development (DPMA) and the Centre for Community Resource Development (P2SDM) that aims to equip teenagers with basic knowledge about marriage and skills that can support them in the future.
In her speech, the Chairperson of the Premarital School Program, Dr Yulina Eva Riany, said that the Premarital School was developed as a concrete action to address concerns about the high rate of child marriage in West Java, especially Bogor Regency.
Dr Eva reported that out of 70 premarital school participants in Sinarsari and Sukawening villages, only 36 participants were eligible to graduate for their intensive participation in the premarital school programme held since 7 September 2024.
“This programme is also in line with efforts to prevent child marriage in the Bogor Regency area, which still has significant rates of child marriage and stunting,” said Dr Eva who is also the Chairperson of the Research and Human Resource Development Division of P2SDM IPB University.
Based on data, child marriage in Indonesia is the eighth highest in the world in 2022, and West Java is third nationally, with Bogor Regency recording a stunting rate of 27.6 per cent in 2023.
Recognising the importance of this issue, Dr Amiruddin Saleh as Chairperson of P2SDM said, as part of the HR development programme, the Premarital School is expected to answer the challenges in creating superior human resources for the Indonesian nation in the future.
The same thing was also conveyed by the Assistant Director of Social Entrepreneurship, DPMA IPB University, Dr Iqbal Irfani, that through this Premarital School, IPB University is present in the campus circle to jointly provide solutions to social problems.
“IPB University is committed to strengthening child marriage prevention programmes as a form of contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in the indicators of gender equality and good health,” he said.
Office of Women’s Empowerment, Child Protection, Population Control and Family Planning
On the same occasion, the Regent’s representative, Ir Sussy Rahayu Agustini, MT, also attended the event as Chairperson of the Bogor Regency Women’s Empowerment, Child Protection, Population Control and Family Planning Agency (DP3AP2KB). She conveyed a message that similar programmes can be continued in the Bogor Regency area, especially areas with high child marriage rates such as Pamijahan District.
“This programme is expected to be an effective medium of collaboration as a form of commitment in making a real contribution to the community through useful service programmes,” she said.
During the Premarital School programme, participants learnt various relevant materials, including marriage motivation, financial management, as well as digital skills and entrepreneurship. Evaluation showed an increase in participants’ understanding in these aspects, indicating their heightened awareness of the importance of preparation before entering the world of marriage.
The graduation ceremony was closed with appreciation to village officials for their contribution to the programme and to the three best Premarital School participants. It is hoped that the Premarital School participants, who are still teenagers, will be able to make wise decisions in their lives, and become an inspiration for other teenagers in preparing for a brighter future. (*/Rz) (IAAS/RSL)
