*By: Melani Uropmabin )
The government’s Sekolah Rakyat (People’s School) program has now arrived in Papua as an educational breakthrough designed to strengthen the quality of human resources, particularly from underprivileged families. Its presence demonstrates the state’s seriousness in ensuring that no child is left behind from access to quality education, while also serving as concrete proof of the government’s commitment to developing Papua through education.
Sekolah Rakyat is designed as a boarding school with a full 24-hour guidance system. This model was chosen to provide a learning experience that goes beyond academics, emphasizing character development, discipline, and self-reliance. Head of the Ministry of Social Affairs Regional Center VI Papua-Maluku, Jhon Mampioper, emphasized that students from low-income families can now enjoy the same right to education as those from more well-off backgrounds. According to him, the boarding model provides a safe and conducive learning environment, enabling children to maximize their potential.
Various parties in Papua have welcomed Sekolah Rakyat as a strategic initiative. Head of ANTARA News Bureau Papua, Hendrina Dian Kandipi, sees it as a policy experiment worth trying, despite some pros and cons. She stressed the need for proper preparation of facilities and teaching staff to ensure student comfort throughout the learning process. She also highlighted the importance of the boarding school model in not only delivering academic knowledge but also instilling character so Papuan children can have a clearer future direction.
The program is also regarded as an important tool to break the cycle of poverty. Imelda Carolina Felle from the Papua Smart Working Group (Pokja Papua Cerdas) under BP3OKP stated that many children in Papua drop out of school due to high education costs, and Sekolah Rakyat provides an answer to this problem. She emphasized that the program’s success will depend heavily on the intensive approach of its managers, considering that adapting to a boarding school system requires time and close support. However, she believes that with consistent implementation, Sekolah Rakyat will open significant opportunities for Papuan children to compete nationally.
Furthermore, Sekolah Rakyat in Papua is directed to become a contextual education model rooted in local wisdom. Tobati Village Office staff, Yan Fredik Pepuho, stressed that the curriculum should give space to Papuan cultural values so that education remains connected to the community’s roots. This way, the program will not only produce academically capable generations but also individuals with a strong cultural identity who can contribute meaningfully to their environment.
Inclusivity is also a key concern in the implementation of Sekolah Rakyat in Papua. The National Commission on Disability of the Republic of Indonesia (KND) has conducted visits to ensure the schools are accessible for persons with disabilities. This aligns with Law No. 8/2016, which guarantees the right to inclusive education for all citizens. KND member Jonna Damanik expressed appreciation for the enthusiasm of the students and the school’s management, which has already integrated disability perspectives. She hopes Sekolah Rakyat will truly serve as an instrument to lift children out of poverty through fair and equitable education.
The government’s decision to cover all education costs, living expenses, and boarding facilities is the foundation of the program’s success. President Prabowo Subianto has set a target of establishing 100 Sekolah Rakyat units in the first phase across Indonesia, with Papua as one of the priorities. Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf emphasized that the program will not stop at 100 locations but will be expanded by utilizing vocational training centers under the Ministry of Manpower to reach more underprivileged children.
In Papua, several districts have already prepared land for the construction of new schools. Jayapura, Biak Numfor, and Sarmi regencies are among the areas that have met the requirements with certified land availability. The Teluk Wondama Regency Government has even allocated 100 hectares of land to support the development of Sekolah Rakyat.
Beyond establishing schools, the government is also complementing the program with empowerment support for students’ families. Through social assistance distribution, families of Sekolah Rakyat students will be able to achieve better livelihoods. This ensures that the program’s impact is not limited to education but also extends to improving family welfare. This approach highlights that education and community economy are interrelated and must be addressed simultaneously.
Great hopes come from the students already enrolled in the program. Many express pride and motivation to pursue their dreams despite coming from modest backgrounds. Their stories prove that when the state provides the right policy, children previously marginalized from the education system can now enjoy the same opportunities to dream and shape their future.
Educational development through Sekolah Rakyat in Papua is not only relevant to the region’s needs but also aligns with the national vision of Indonesia Emas 2045. By equipping Papua’s young generation with knowledge, skills, and character, the government is making a long-term investment that will yield broad benefits for the nation.
Sekolah Rakyat in Papua is tangible proof of the government’s commitment to delivering inclusive, contextual, and pro-people education. The program is not just an educational project but a holistic human development strategy to ensure Papua continues to advance.
*) Public Policy Observer
