Jayapura — The Papua Provincial Government, together with the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs, continues to finalize the implementation of the Public School Program, a national strategic program aimed at expanding access to education for children from poor and extremely poor families in Papua.
The Head of the Regional Center for Social Welfare Education and Training (BBPPKS) for Papua Region VI of the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs, John Herman Mampioper, revealed that his office has reported the latest developments on the program to the Governor of Papua, including the readiness to construct permanent buildings in several areas.
“We reported to the Governor regarding the latest developments on the Public School Program, which is a national strategic program. Currently, 29 Public High Schools are operating in Kamkey, 75 Integrated Public Schools in Pasir Dua, and public schools in Sarmi and Biak Numfor,” Mampioper said after a meeting with the Governor of Papua in Jayapura on Monday (June 8, 2026).
According to John, the administrative process for the construction of permanent buildings for these public schools is now entering the final stages. The Ministry of Public Works is targeting the announcement of the tender winner by mid-June 2026, before construction begins in July.
“We hope that by July 2026, construction will be underway simultaneously in Biak, Sarmi, Maribu, Muaratami, and Jayapura Regency,” he emphasized.
In addition to the construction of new buildings in these five locations, the Ministry of Social Affairs has also proposed the construction of public schools in several other regencies: Supiori, Mamberamo Raya, Waropen, and Keerom. Currently, these four regencies are still completing the necessary administrative requirements.
John acknowledged that high public interest is a major challenge in this pilot program. Currently, the school’s capacity is very limited due to limited land, allowing it to accommodate only around 100 students.
“We hope that, once the new building is completed, next year’s capacity can increase to thousands of students so that children from various regencies can be accommodated,” he said.
The Acting Head of the Papua Province Social, Population, and Civil Registration Office, Herald J. Berhitu, emphasized that the regional government is continuing to expedite the completion of various supporting documents, including the environmental impact analysis (Amdal) for the development.
“This program not only opens access to education, but also creates jobs and stimulates the economy of the communities surrounding the school,” said Herald.
He added that all student needs, from tuition fees and uniforms to school supplies and daily meals, are fully covered by the state. Each student will also receive a laptop to support digital-based learning.
“This program is expected to be a crucial instrument in poverty alleviation efforts in Papua,” he concluded.
