Central Papua Allocates Rp77.8 Billion for Free Education Programme
The Provincial Government of Central Papua has allocated a budget of Rp77.8 billion to finance a free education programme for junior high school, senior high school, vocational school, special needs school, and boarding school students in 2026.
Central Papua Governor Meki Nawipa in Nabire on Wednesday said the programme represents the regional government’s commitment to improving access to education while reducing dropout rates caused by economic limitations.
“This year we are funding 58,920 students across junior high, senior high, vocational, special needs, and boarding schools in Central Papua with a budget of Rp77.8 billion,” Meki said during the opening of the 2026 Student Cultural Creation Festival.
He said Central Papua is the first province in Tanah Papua to allocate a large-scale free education budget to reach students across the entire provincial territory.
With this programme in place, Meki said, there is no longer any reason for children to be unable to attend school due to financial constraints.
Beyond financing free education, the Central Papua Provincial Government is also working to improve education quality by strengthening teacher capacity and welfare.
He explained that in 2025 the provincial government facilitated certification for 801 teachers. In 2026, the government is targeting certification for 1,000 teachers, with the same number to be funded in 2027.
“In three years, we will fund certification for nearly 3,000 teachers. We are also providing additional incentives for teachers,” he said.
He noted that improving the welfare of educators is an important part of advancing education quality in Central Papua.
He expressed hope that all programmes prepared by the regional government would be optimally utilised by students, teachers, and beneficiary schools.
“We want the children of Central Papua to be not only intelligent, but also to possess honesty, integrity, and a spirit to keep progressing,” he said.
The free education programme is one of the priority programmes of Governor Meki Nawipa and Deputy Governor Deinas Geley, which has been running since last year.
He explained that the programme is funded through the Regional School Operational Assistance (Bosda) fund, which the provincial government distributes to recipient schools.
He assessed that the free education policy, combined with university tuition assistance, has had a positive impact in reducing the school dropout rate in Central Papua.
“This policy helps students and university students from underprivileged families to continue their education without being burdened by costs,” he said.