Dialogue Between President of the Republic of Indonesia and Teachers and Students of Sudimara State Elementary School in Cilongok Subdistrict, Banyumas Regency, Central Java Province During the Peak Event of the 2021 National Children’s Day, from Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java Province
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Hello,
Good morning.
Teachers and Students of Sudimara State Elementary School in Cilongok subdistrict, Banyumas regency, Central Java province
Good morning.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Assalamu’alaikum.
Teachers and Students of Sudimara State Elementary School in Cilongok subdistrict, Banyumas regency, Central Java province
Wa’alaikumsalam, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Ms. Principal, teachers, my children, how are you?
Teachers and Students of Sudimara State Elementary School in Cilongok subdistrict, Banyumas regency, Central Java province
We’re good,
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Whom am I speaking to? You are the fifth-grade students of Sudimara elementary school. Am I right?
Teachers and Students of Sudimara State Elementary School in Cilongok subdistrict, Banyumas regency, Central Java province
Yes, you are.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Sudimara elementary school, Cilongok subdistrict, Banyumas regency, Central Java province, isn’t it?
Teachers and Students of Sudimara State Elementary School in Cilongok subdistrict, Banyumas regency, Central Java province
Yes, it is.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
How are you?
Teachers and Students of Sudimara State Elementary School in Cilongok subdistrict, Banyumas regency, Central Java province
Yes, we are.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Children, what are you learning now?
Teachers and Students of Sudimara State Elementary School in Cilongok subdistrict, Banyumas regency, Central Java province
Mr. President… Whose voice is it… (audio not heard clearly)
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes. My dear Indonesian children, we are aware that since March last year, we have been experiencing the coronavirus pandemic. You certainly know it, right?
Students of Sudimara State Elementary School in Cilongok subdistrict, Banyumas regency, Central Java province
Yes… Mr. President, hello…
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
And amid the pandemic, I am aware that you are at home most of the time. You do not go to school. You do not travel, do you?
Students of Sudimara State Elementary School in Cilongok subdistrict, Banyumas regency, Central Java province
No, we do not.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
But you must stay motivated to learn.
Students of Sudimara State Elementary School in Cilongok subdistrict, Banyumas regency, Central Java province
Yes, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes, continue to learn outside school
Students of Sudimara State Elementary School in Cilongok subdistrict, Banyumas regency, Central Java province
Yes, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
You miss people, you miss your friends, you miss your grandfather, grandmother, uncle, and aunt, don’t you?
Imelda (Student of Sudimara State Elementary School in Cilongok subdistrict, Banyumas regency, Central Java province)
Sir, I want to learn from school. I’ve been staying at home for too long. I’m bored.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
My dear children, we have planned to reopen school in July for in-class learning. However, because the coronavirus pandemic has worsened, the plan was cancelled. We are waiting for the situation to improve in this coronavirus pandemic, (for the number of active cases) to decrease to reopen school.
Students of Sudimara State Elementary School in Cilongok subdistrict, Banyumas regency, Central Java province
Yes, Sir!
Amanda (Student of Sudimara State Elementary School in Cilongok subdistrict, Banyumas regency, Central Java province)
What does a president do?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Presiding over meetings with ministers, then visiting (places from) Aceh province to Papua province to check roads whether they are good, to check dams, to check seaports, to check airports.
Alright, children. The most important thing is that all of you learn. All of you must learn. Do not forget to always wear a face mask. Always wear a face mask.
Students of Sudimara State Elementary School in Cilongok subdistrict, Banyumas regency, Central Java province
Yes, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
After an activity, wash your hands with soap. Do not forget.
Students of Sudimara State Elementary School in Cilongok subdistrict, Banyumas regency, Central Java province
Yes, Sir. Always, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes, and maintain a safe distance when you talk to others. Also, remind your friends, your neighbors to always wear a face mask when going outside.
My dear children, all of you are the future of Indonesia. You must stay motivated in learning, be happy, be diligent in praying. Do not forget to pray to God. Pray for protection for us all, for Indonesia.
Happy National Children’s Day for all children in Indonesia. When children are protected, Indonesia will advance.
That concludes my speech on this auspicious occasion.
I thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Good morning.
Thank you, children. (DH/EP)