Government Inaugurates Garuda School in Southwest Papua, Demonstrating Commitment to Advancing Papuan Human Resources
Sorong – The government continues to demonstrate its strong commitment to advancing human resources (HR) in Papua through the inauguration of the Garuda School in Sorong City, Southwest Papua. This school is part of the Fast Best Results Program (PHTC) initiated by President Prabowo Subianto as an effort to ensure equal access to superior education throughout Indonesia.
The inauguration of the Garuda Transformasi Excellence School at Averos High School in Sorong City took place on Wednesday (October 8, 2025), attended by Muhammad Hasan Chabibie, Expert Staff to the Minister for Strengthening the Higher Education, Science, and Technology Ecosystem at the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, along with Elisa Kambu, Governor of Southwest Papua. The group’s arrival was enthusiastically welcomed by students who performed a traditional Papuan dance, reflecting the enthusiasm and joy of the community welcoming the flagship school.
In his remarks, Muhammad Hasan Chabibie emphasized that the Garuda School program is a concrete manifestation of the government’s commitment to human resource development in eastern Indonesia. He explained that to date, 12 Garuda Transformation Schools and 4 Garuda Schools have been inaugurated simultaneously in various regions. This program, he continued, is specifically designed for regions that need accelerated education quality and equitable learning facilities.
“It is hoped that with these Garuda Schools, more Papuan children will be able to enter the world and continue their education at national and international universities,” said Hasan Chabibie. He added that the government is committed to continuing to expand the reach of this program so that more regions in eastern Indonesia can benefit.
Meanwhile, Southwest Papua Governor Elisa Kambu expressed her appreciation to the central government for its significant attention to improving the quality of education in Papua. She assessed that the presence of the Garuda Schools will be a crucial momentum in preparing a superior, competitive, and adaptable generation of Papuan youth.
“Through this program, we are confident that we can accelerate our progress compared to other nations. We must support this policy so that the process runs smoothly and produces outstanding and outstanding children,” said Elisa Kambu.
Garuda Schools are expected to serve not only as places to gain knowledge, but also as platforms for character development, discipline, and a spirit of nationalism for Papua’s young generation. The government aims to develop 80 Garuda Transformation Schools and build 20 new Garuda Schools across Indonesia by 2029.
The inauguration in Sorong symbolizes the government’s strong commitment to ensuring that superior education is not confined to urban areas but is also present and developed throughout Papua as a primary foundation for the nation’s progress.
