The addition of Papua’s new autonomous region accelerates development in the education sector
The addition of the New Autonomous Region (DOB) is supported by all Papuan people. They realize that with an increase in new autonomous regions there will be many advantages, especially in the field of education. Development in the education sector will be even more massive thanks to the addition of new autonomous regions, because many good quality schools have been built by the provincial government.
Before the addition of new autonomous regions, Indonesia had 34 provinces, including Papua and West Papua. The addition of new provinces occurred in the reform era, after previously there were only 27 provinces during the New Order era. Why is there a new province? The reason is because it adjusts to the area of the island or area and makes it easier to decentralize government.
Currently in Papua there are 4 new provinces / new autonomous regions namely Central Papua, Central Highlands Papua, Southwest Papua and South Papua. The addition of the new autonomous region will accelerate development throughout the Papua region, especially in the education sector.
Politician Otopianus Tebai stated that regional expansion in Papua needed input from various parties so that it met the expectations of the Papuan people. Otopianus also highlighted the importance of strengthening informal education in Papua. Especially for those who are unemployed, assisted and fostered so that they are more independent. He also emphasized the need for the government to consider local political parties as a cultural identity for OAP.
In a sense, regional expansion, aka the addition of new autonomous regions, will have a positive effect on the education sector in Papua. With 4 new autonomous regions, it will facilitate mobility, increase community health and education facilities.
When there is a new province, the government will automatically add APBD funds. This money is not only used to build bridges and other infrastructure. But also to build a complete school building, along with library facilities, etc. The education system in Papua will be much better thanks to the addition of new autonomous regions.
In this way, children in the regions will be able to go to high school level, because the provinces already have good schools. He doesn’t need to migrate to Jayapura, Merauke, or other big cities,
but learn in his own place. Papuan children will be smarter and become future leaders.
It should also be noted that the education system in western Indonesia is generally better than eastern Indonesia, such as Papua. In Eastern Indonesia, there are still many children who do not have access to good schools.
Economic conditions, culture and geographical accessibility limit many children in eastern Indonesia from even obtaining basic education. There are still many people who do not care about the importance of education for children. Some are experiencing economic difficulties so they are unable to send their children to school.
One of the factors causing the low level of education in Papua is the geographical conditions that make it difficult for Papuans to get an education.
With the addition of the new autonomous regions, infrastructure will be built in the form of the Trans Papua Road and other roads, as well as bridges. With this infrastructure it will overcome the problem of geographic accessibility. The location of the school will be easier and more accessible to students, so that they are more enthusiastic about learning.
Before there was an addition to the new autonomous regions, many children were forced to drop out of school because they had to work to support their family’s economy. Conservative views in Papua, view that education is something that is not important and reluctance to work causes many Papuans to leave urban areas.
Citing data from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) shows that 30% of Papuan students do not complete their elementary and junior high schools. In rural areas, around 50% of primary school students and 73% of junior high school students choose to drop out of school.
Chairman of the PKS DPP Mardani Ali Sera, said that he supports 4 new new autonomous regions in Papua. According to him, regional expansion could trigger development in Papua. Later there will be many community services that can be provided, such as the construction of universities, academies and other educational institutions.
With the addition of the new autonomous regions, it will be very beneficial for the people of Papua. They can study, not only at Cendrawasih University. But also in other campuses that will be built in Papua. They no longer have to migrate to Java or other islands to pursue higher education.
To make it easier for the people of Papua, the central government provides special autonomy scholarship funds. With this money, students can study in peace because tuition fees are already covered. They can focus on completing their studies without worrying about the cost. Then, the special autonomy scholarship can also be used on campuses outside Papua, even abroad.
The addition of 4 new autonomous regions in Papua really benefits the community, especially in the education sector. With the existence of a new province, schools and universities were built so that people in Cendrawasih Land could study until they became graduates. If the people of Papua can go to higher education then their future will be even better because they get decent jobs.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Jakarta
