President Prabowo Prepares an Independent Papuan Generation through People’s Schools
By: Melani Uropmabin
The government-initiated People’s School program is now available in Papua as an educational breakthrough aimed at strengthening the quality of human resources, particularly from underprivileged families. This program demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind in access to quality education and is a concrete manifestation of the government’s commitment to developing Papua through education.
People’s Schools are designed as boarding schools with 24-hour support. This model was chosen to provide a learning experience that is not limited to academics but also strengthens character, discipline, and independence. The Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Social Affairs VI Papua-Maluku, Jhon Mampioper, emphasized that students from underprivileged families can now receive the same educational rights as students from more affluent backgrounds. He stated that the boarding system allows children to enjoy a safe and conducive learning environment, enabling them to maximize their potential.
Various parties in Papua have welcomed the People’s School program as a strategic step. The Head of the Papua Bureau of the ANTARA News Agency (LKBN ANTARA), Hendrina Dian Kandipi, considers the People’s School (Sekolah Rakyat) a policy experiment worth trying, despite its pros and cons. She believes that facilities and teaching staff must be well-prepared to ensure students feel comfortable during the educational process. She also highlighted the importance of the boarding school system, which not only teaches academic knowledge but also builds character, giving Papuan children a clearer path for the future.
This program is also considered a crucial instrument in breaking the cycle of poverty. Imelda Carolina Felle of the Smart Papua Working Group (Pokja Papua Cerdas BP3OKP) stated that many children in Papua drop out of school due to high education costs, and the People’s School is a solution to this problem. She emphasized that an intensive approach from program administrators will be crucial to its success, considering that adapting to the boarding school system requires time and guidance. However, she is confident that if implemented consistently, the People’s School will open up significant opportunities for Papuan children to compete at the national level.
Furthermore, the People’s School in Papua is also aimed at becoming a model of contextual education grounded in local wisdom. Yan Fredik Pepuho, a staff member at the Tobati Village Office, emphasized that the implemented curriculum should accommodate Papuan cultural values, ensuring that education is not uprooted from the community. This way, the program will not only produce a generation that is academically intelligent but also possesses a strong cultural identity and is able to make a real contribution to its community.
The dimension of inclusivity is also a priority in the implementation of the People’s School in Papua. The National Commission on Disabilities of the Republic of Indonesia (KND) has visited the school to ensure it is accessible to people with disabilities. This is in accordance with Law Number 8 of 2016, which guarantees the right to inclusive education for all citizens. KND member Jonna Damanik expressed her appreciation for the students’ enthusiasm and the school’s management, which has accommodated the perspective of people with disabilities. She hopes that the People’s School will truly become an instrument for lifting children out of the cycle of poverty through fair and equal education.
The government’s policy of covering all educational costs, including living expenses, and boarding facilities, is a key foundation for the program’s success. President Prabowo Subianto has set a target of building 100 public schools across Indonesia for the first phase, with Papua as a priority. Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf even emphasized that the program will not stop at 100 locations but will expand by utilizing the Ministry of Manpower’s Vocational Training Centers to reach more children from low-income families.
In Papua itself, several regencies have prepared land for new school construction. Jayapura, Biak Numfor, and Sarmi Regencies are identified as having met the requirements due to the availability of certified land. The Teluk Wondama Regency Government has even prepared 100 hectares of land to support the construction of public schools.
