By Daniel Karubaba )*
The recent burning of a school by the Free Papua Movement (OPM) in Puncak Regency, Central Papua, once again shows the negative impact of violence against educational facilities in the region. The incident is clear evidence of how this separatist group is destroying the future of the young generation of Papua who should have the right to access decent education. Not only that, this action also adds to the long list of similar actions carried out by the OPM in recent years, which have destroyed dozens of schools in various regions of Papua.
Education is an important foundation for the development of society and the nation, especially in Papua which requires special attention in human resource development. However, OPM with its actions continues to undermine the efforts of the government and local communities to provide education to children in Papua. By burning schools, they not only damage physical buildings, but also deprive children in Papua of their right to learn, grow, and develop intellectually.
This burning action is an irresponsible act that must be strongly condemned. As explained by the Puncak Police Chief, Commissioner I Nyoman Punia, the OPM group led by Kalenak Murib is suspected of being responsible for the incident. The police and security forces are now pursuing the perpetrators in the hope that they can be arrested and tried soon for this heinous act.
The OPM has repeatedly carried out acts of burning educational facilities, and the incident in Puncak Regency is just one of a series of destructive actions that have been carried out. Data shows that from 2021 to 2024, the OPM has burned down at least 20 schools in various regions in Papua, including elementary, middle, and high schools. Another major incident occurred on May 21, 2024, when the YPPGI Kepas Kopo integrated school building in Paniai Regency, which includes PAUD, SD, and SMP, was also burned down by this separatist group.
The OPM’s actions not only threaten social stability, but also damage the future of the young generation in Papua. Children who should be in school to gain knowledge are forced to be absent because their school buildings are burned down. Not only that, many children in Papua are traumatized by seeing violence and destruction carried out in an environment where they should feel safe and comfortable. This can have a long-term impact on their psychology and ultimately hinder human resource development in Papua.
OPM seems to be sending a message that they reject development in the region, including in the field of education. In fact, education is one of the main keys to escape the poverty and backwardness that is still faced by most areas in Papua. By destroying educational facilities, OPM has indirectly sabotaged the future of children in Papua, who are the next generation who should be empowered to build a more advanced and prosperous Papua.
Head of Information for the XVII/Cenderawasih Military Command, Lieutenant Colonel Inf Candra Kurniawan, also regretted the action. According to him, the burning of the school was a very unfortunate act because the school was used by children to study every day. The local community also strongly condemned this action, because they are aware that education is the hope for a better future for their children. Lieutenant Colonel Candra also emphasized that actions like this show that the OPM does not want children in Papua to receive a decent education.
In addition to destroying school buildings, the OPM’s actions also send a signal that they do not care about the future of the younger generation in Papua. In fact, the enthusiasm of children in Papua to go to school is actually very high. They have a great passion for learning and developing themselves, but this is hampered by the destructive actions of irresponsible separatist groups. The burning of schools will only deepen the educational gap between Papua and other regions in Indonesia, and ultimately hinder the progress of Papua as a whole.
The Chairman of the MPR RI for the 2019-2024 period, Bambang Soesatyo, also condemned this irresponsible action. He emphasized that the OPM’s actions were extraordinary crimes that must be strictly enforced by the law. The government together with the TNI and Polri apparatus are asked not to hesitate in pursuing the perpetrators and prosecuting them according to applicable laws. Strict law enforcement is expected to provide a sense of security to the people of Papua, especially to children who have the right to receive education without fear of the threat of violence.
The OPM’s continuous actions in destroying educational facilities in Papua clearly contradict the noble ideals of creating an educated young generation that is able to lead Papua in a better direction. The community and government must unite in an effort to maintain security and stability in Papua, and ensure that children in Papua have access to education. Because only with good education can the young generation in Papua have a bright future and contribute to the progress of Indonesia.
)* the author is a student from Papua in Surabaya