Mayor of Bandung Muhammad Farhan

Bandung —

The Mayor of Bandung, Muhammad Farhan, stated that his administration has not yet analyzed the order from West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi regarding school start times at 06:00 WIB. He acknowledged that further study of this directive is necessary.

«The 6 AM school start time has not yet been analyzed; I am still awaiting a review. Once the review is completed, we will announce our position,» said Farhan on Tuesday (6/3/2025).

He noted that additional research is needed, as there are many implications to consider. One of them is the availability of public transportation in the early morning.

«Starting school at 6 AM has numerous consequences. Not all public transportation operates at 5 AM. Even school buses only start running at 8 AM. I need to evaluate all of this,» he explained.

According to him, the new rule will largely depend on the readiness of Bandung’s city government to prepare public transportation for the required schedule. Additionally, students are currently expected to commute to school independently.

«In the future, it seems this will be tied to the city government’s readiness to provide transportation subsidies. Because one of the goals (of the early school time) is to avoid parents driving their children to school,» he explained.

Regarding school buses, he mentioned the need to coordinate with Bandung’s transportation department on possibly reactivating the fleet. Currently, it is known that some school buses were damaged due to flooding.

«We will review this matter with the transportation department, as some buses have been parked for too long and were submerged during the flood. Several units are non-operational. If they are to be restored, we must calculate the costs of repairs, maintenance, and driver salaries,» he clarified.

Restricting Gadget Use

Farhan stated that one of the upcoming regulations in Bandung will involve controlling mobile phone and gadget usage among students. In the future, students will be prohibited from using gadgets during school hours.

«The regulation to be introduced soon involves controlling mobile phone usage. I am discussing with newly appointed school principals how to manage phone use during class time,» he explained.

He gave an example where students would be required to deposit their gadgets in a designated area. These devices could only be retrieved when they are ready to go home.

«As soon as they enter school, phones will be collected and returned only after classes end. However, measures must be taken to ensure phones are not mixed up or lost,» he added.

Bandung

Bandung, the capital of West Java, Indonesia, is a vibrant city known for its cool climate, colonial architecture, and thriving arts and culinary scenes. Established by the Dutch in the early 19th century, it became a popular highland retreat and later a center for education and creativity. Today, Bandung is famous for landmarks like Gedung Sate, the Tangkuban Perahu volcano, and its many factory outlets and street food markets.

West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi

Dedi Mulyadi served as the Acting Governor of West Java from 2018 to 2018, briefly leading the province after the resignation of Ahmad Heryawan. Known for his focus on cultural preservation and rural development, he promoted traditional Sundanese arts and local economic initiatives during his short tenure. His leadership, though brief, emphasized grassroots empowerment and regional heritage.

Bandung’s city government

Bandung’s city government oversees the capital of West Java, Indonesia, a vibrant city known for its colonial heritage, educational institutions, and creative culture. Established during Dutch colonial rule, Bandung became a key administrative center and later played a significant role in Indonesia’s independence movement. Today, the city government focuses on urban development, sustainability, and promoting Bandung as a hub for technology and tourism.

Bandung’s transportation department

Bandung’s Transportation Department oversees the city’s transport systems, including roads, public transit, and traffic management. Historically, Bandung’s infrastructure has evolved since the Dutch colonial era, with modern efforts focusing on reducing congestion and improving sustainability, such as through the Trans Metro Bandung bus system. The department plays a key role in urban planning to address the city’s growing mobility needs.