By: Yonas Wanggai*
Education is the primary foundation for building a developed, competitive, and just nation. Under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the Indonesian government has once again demonstrated its strong commitment to achieving equitable national education through the establishment of the Garuda School in Papua. This program is part of the Fastest Best Results Program (PHTC), designed to accelerate improvements in education quality throughout Indonesia, including the eastern regions, which have long been a priority for human resource development.
The inauguration of the Garuda School at Averos High School in Sorong, Southwest Papua, is a tangible symbol of the government’s progress in developing a superior generation of Papuans. The inauguration ceremony was lively, marked by performances of traditional Papuan dances that reflected the enthusiasm and pride of the local community for the presence of this superior, global-standard school. This school is a concrete manifestation of the Prabowo-Gibran administration’s determination to ensure that there is no longer a gap in access to education between western and eastern Indonesia.
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Ribka Haluk, who also delivered a virtual speech, emphasized that the Garuda School is a concrete manifestation of the government’s commitment to the future of Papua’s young generation. She stated that President Prabowo Subianto’s policies focus on developing intelligent, resilient, and character-driven Indonesians, a prerequisite for achieving Indonesia Emas 2045.
According to Ribka Haluk, much of the potential of Indonesian children is now being unlocked thanks to the government’s expanded access to education. The presence of the Garuda School, she said, is a response to this challenge by providing high-standard education, professional educators, and a modern curriculum adapted to current developments. She added that through this program, every child of the nation now has an equal opportunity to grow into a future generation of leaders.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Southwest Papua, Elisa Kambu, expressed her deep appreciation to the central government for its attention and commitment to the advancement of education in Papua. She viewed the presence of the Garuda School as a significant momentum that will transform the face of education in eastern Indonesia. She stated that this program not only provides physical facilities but also instills the values of nationalism, discipline, and a fighting spirit in students.
Elisa emphasized that human resource development is the key to Papua’s progress. With full support from the central government through the PHTC program, Papua’s young generation now has access to education comparable to that of other regions. She is optimistic that Garuda School will produce a generation of intelligent, noble students ready to contribute to regional and national development. She also added that the government’s support for the eastern region is strong evidence that development is now truly equitable, not concentrated only in large cities.
On the same occasion, the Principal of Averos Sorong High School, Fitria Awalia, expressed her pride and gratitude for the government’s trust in making her school part of the Garuda School network. She called this responsibility a significant mandate that she will carry out with full dedication. Fitria explained that through this program, her school now receives full support in improving the quality of its teaching staff, providing modern facilities, and training in the latest educational technology.
Fitria emphasized that Garuda School has brought significant changes to the education ecosystem in Sorong. The teaching and learning process is now more interactive, creative, and oriented towards student character development. He is optimistic that this program will produce graduates who not only excel academically but also possess social awareness and a passion for building a progressive and independent Papua. He stated that the presence of the Garuda Schools is concrete evidence that Papua is now on par with other regions in terms of educational quality.
The Garuda Schools program, under the PHTC umbrella, is designed as a strategic step by the government to build a world-class education system throughout Indonesia. Through technology integration, locally-based learning, and collaboration with international educational institutions, the government strives to make each Garuda school a center of excellence, producing a highly competitive future generation.
Furthermore, this program emphasizes the importance of collaboration between the central and regional governments in strengthening the foundations of national education. The government targets the establishment of 80 Garuda Transformation Schools and 20 Garuda Excellence Schools throughout Indonesia, including several in Papua and West Papua, by 2029. This effort…reflects the government’s commitment to accelerating educational transformation towards equity and excellence.
The presence of the Garuda School symbolizes the revival of education in Papua. With the full support of the central government and the enthusiasm of the local community, Papua now faces the future with renewed optimism. This program emphasizes that education is no longer a privilege for a select few, but a universal right guaranteed by the state for all children of the nation.
Through this progressive policy, the Prabowo-Gibran administration affirms that equal education is the path to national progress. The Garuda School is concrete evidence that from Sorong, this spirit of change is now soaring, marking a new era of inclusive, quality, and equitable Indonesian education. From Papua, the Garuda soars, carrying the message that Indonesia’s future is built through the intelligence, hard work, and unity of all its children.
The author is a Papuan Researcher and Education Activist
