Disabled Student in Nabire Leads Hardiknas Ceremony, Stands for 40 Minutes

A video of Deki’s action went viral on social media, as reported by detikSulsel on Thursday (7/5/2026). Deki led the Hardiknas ceremony at the Central Papua provincial level, held at the Mepa Boarding School field in Nabire on Saturday (2/5). The ceremony was also attended by Central Papua Governor Meki Nawipa as the ceremony supervisor. “He (Deki Degei) was quite confident and firm, that’s what I saw,” said Jon Fallo, Chairman of the Mepa Boarding School Foundation, to detikcom. Deki, a Class XI student at SMA Mepa Boarding School, stood upright for nearly 40 minutes without the aid of a crutch. Every time he needed to give instructions or report the progress of the ceremony, Deki hopped on one leg to face the ceremony supervisor. “His standing time was quite long; a ceremony usually lasts around 40 minutes or more, and he completed it until the end. I had no doubts at all because he has more than enough ability,” he said. Deki was appointed to lead the Hardiknas ceremony based on selection results and his high motivation. He was chosen by the local education office (disdik) because he was deemed to have an upright posture.