Government Improves Papua Education and Nutrition Programs, Community Urged to Maintain Conduciveness
By: Timotius Gobay )*
The government continues to demonstrate its commitment to improving the quality of education and nutrition in Papua through various strategic policies. This step is taken to ensure that all children in Indonesia, including those in disadvantaged, outermost, and remote areas (3T), receive quality education and adequate nutritional needs.
The Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Mendikbudristek), Abdul Mu’ti, emphasized the importance of equal access to decent education for all students. He emphasized that every Indonesian child must have a safe and comfortable learning environment. The government no longer wants to see schools with unsuitable buildings and minimal facilities.
To realize this, the government is currently prioritizing three main aspects in education, namely the development of school infrastructure, improving the welfare and quality of teachers, and strengthening character education.
In terms of learning, the deep learning approach has also begun to be implemented to encourage students to understand the material in more depth. The government has also designed a brain gymnastics policy after lunch break to maintain students’ energy and focus. With these steps, it is hoped that students can be more critical, creative, and have a high enthusiasm for learning.
In addition to formal education, the government is also committed to supporting scholarship programs for Papuan students and 3T regions, namely disadvantaged, outermost, and remote. The Secondary Education Affirmation Scholarship Program (ADEM) and the Higher Education Affirmation Scholarship (ADik) are one of the solutions in equalizing access to education. This program provides opportunities for Papuan students to get a better education at various leading schools and universities in Indonesia.
However, this program still faces challenges in the field. West Papua Senator, Dr. Filep Wamafma, proposed that this program continue to be improved in order to improve the quality of education. In addition, he also highlighted the need to improve basic education infrastructure, such as electricity, internet, laboratories, and libraries, especially in the interior of Papua.
Another proposed effort is the formation of Education Volunteers as a solution to the lack of teaching staff in Papua. These volunteers are expected to be able to drive education in remote areas by involving graduates from various majors. The Minister of Education welcomed this idea and it is hoped that it can be implemented soon.
On the other hand, the involvement of the private sector is also an important part in improving the quality of education in Papua. Senator Filep Wamafma emphasized that private companies through corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs can become strategic partners in supporting education. With this cooperation, it is hoped that it will not only improve the quality of education, but also create good relations between the business world and the community.
In addition to education, the government also pays great attention to improving nutrition for Papuan children through the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program. This program aims to ensure that every child gets sufficient nutritional intake to support their growth and development at school. The Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Abdul Mu’ti, stated that this program is under the coordination of the National Nutrition Agency and will continue to be evaluated to be more effective in its implementation.
A number of challenges in implementing the MBG program are acknowledged to still exist, such as the suitability of the menu to the tastes of children in Papua. Some children are reported to not like the rice or side dishes provided. The government continues to review and improve the mechanism of this program to be more in line with local needs.
Support for the MBG program also came from Papuan community leaders, including the Secretary of the Synod of the Christian Kingmi Indonesian Evangelical Tabernacle Church, Rev. Dr. Yones Wenda. He emphasized that this program is very helpful in improving the nutrition of Papuan children and lightening the economic burden on families. He also appealed to the Papuan people to support this program and not be influenced by parties who try to reject it.
Through a combination of improving the quality of education and improving nutrition, the government hopes to create a generation of Papuans who are healthier, smarter, and ready to compete at the national and global levels. These programs are expected to continue and be improved so that they truly provide maximum benefits for the Papuan people.
