By: Elisa Kambuaya*
Education is the right of every citizen, without exception. In Papua, the government continues to improve access to education through various interventions, including for children in remote areas. The government places great emphasis on educational equity as an effort to break the cycle of poverty in Papua. To address this challenge, the central and regional governments are working together to introduce the People’s School program—a concrete and progressive solution to realizing educational equity in Papua.
The People’s School is designed as an inclusive school targeting children from low-income families. The selection process is rigorous and comprehensive, using a field-based approach. Direct assessments are conducted on housing conditions, parental occupations, and family educational backgrounds to ensure targeted educational assistance is provided. This program reflects the state’s commitment to communities that have traditionally faced limited access to educational services.
The Head of Regional Center VI of the Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Jhon Mampioper, stated that 300 high school students have been prepared to be accepted into the People’s School program in Papua for the 2025–2026 academic year. This demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring equal education. Jhon explained that the People’s Schools will begin construction in the Yapen Islands, Sarmi, and Biak Numfor Regencies, with a boarding-based education system to accommodate students from remote areas.
The Papua Provincial Government has also demonstrated its commitment by proposing a 10-hectare plot of land in Maribu Village, East Sentani District, Jayapura Regency, as the site for the construction of a People’s School for elementary, middle, and high school levels. This proposal represents an important initial step in supporting physical development and an integrated learning system.
Yohanes Walilo, Assistant for Government and Public Welfare at the Papua Regional Secretariat, believes that the People’s School will significantly contribute to improving the quality of human resources in Papua. The regional government welcomes the central government’s attention to the future of Papuan children’s education, which is a crucial foundation for social and economic development in the region.
In Southwest Papua, a similar spirit is echoed. The Governor of Southwest Papua, Elisa Kambu, explained that her administration has requested that district/city governments prepare land for the construction of People’s Schools, which will be facilitated by the provincial and central governments. She emphasized that this program is designed to address the education gap among underprivileged communities and to bridge the gap between children from underprivileged families and prevent them from being cut off from the formal education system.
Governor Elisa also stated that several regions have expressed their readiness to prepare land, including South Sorong Regency with two strategic locations, and Maybrat, Raja Ampat, Sorong, and Tambrauw Regencies with one location each. However, she added that the proposal documents from these regencies/cities are still being drafted and are expected to be submitted soon to the provincial government for forwarding to the central government so that construction can begin immediately.
The Central Papua Provincial Government has also demonstrated its strong commitment to building a future for inclusive education in its region. Central Papua Governor Meki Nawipa stated that construction of the Garuda School in Nabire—part of the People’s School program—will begin soon. A four-hectare plot of land has been prepared, complete with a fence and guardhouse. He targets a groundbreaking for the project in October 2025.
Governor Meki also emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Central Papua Provincial Government and the Ministry of Social Affairs to ensure the optimal implementation of the People’s School program. He stated that this program is aimed at vulnerable children, including those affected by social conflict, to ensure they continue to receive their right to a proper and sustainable education.
Furthermore, Central Papua is also launching the All-Day School Program (SSH) for high school and vocational high school levels, which will begin in August 2025. This program will be expanded to elementary and junior high schools in 2026. Governor Meki emphasized that every participating school must have clear basic education data, adequate teaching staff, and ready learning facilities. The provincial government is even willing to finance private schools that do not yet have permanent teachers.
Interestingly, according to Governor Meki, this education program is not only intended for indigenous Papuans but is also open to all Central Papuans without discrimination. Based on the principles of fairness and openness, Central Papua aims to be a model for other provinces in building an inclusive and modern education system in the Land of Papua.
Through these concrete steps, the People’s School not only symbolizes the state’s commitment to improving the quality of education but also serves as a bridge of hope for thousands of Papuan children who have been hampered by poverty and limited access. This development is a crucial foundation for creating a generation of Papuans who are intelligent, resilient, and capable of contributing to regional and national development.
With strong synergy between the central, provincial, and district/city governments, the People’s Schools in Papua are proof that the state is there for every child, regardless of economic or geographic background. A major step has been taken, and a brighter future is now open for Papua’s young generation.
*The author is a journalist and observer of education in Papua
