Doom Tra Kosong Programme Sets MURI Record for Largest English Language Training

Pulau Doom has once again made history through the Doom English Training Programme 2026, which was officially closed at the Sorong Kepulauan District Meeting Hall on Friday, 8 May 2026. The intensive five-day English language training programme has successfully achieved two MURI records simultaneously: the largest number of English language training participants and the largest number of trainee English teachers. This achievement is a source of pride for the people of Southwest Papua, as an educational movement has emerged from the island region, attracting hundreds of participants from various ages and professions in a short time. The recently concluded programme has received a boost from local government, including support from the Southwest Papua Provincial Government and the Regional People’s Representative Council. The programme will continue periodically as planned by the field organising team. The initiator of the programme and Chair of the Pulau Doom Foundation, Engelin Yolanda Kardinal, stated that this success is not an end, but the beginning of a sustainable educational movement for the younger generation of Southwest Papua. “My hope is that children in the future can speak English well and go international like other regions. We are a tourist area, with many people coming from various places, so we must be prepared,” she said. In response to questions from many parties about the next steps after this training, the Pulau Doom Foundation has officially launched Doom Education today as the centre for education and language development on Pulau Doom. Through Doom Education, the learning programme will not stop at the five-day training but will continue with the development of local trainers, English language training, and plans for other foreign language learning such as Dutch, Japanese, and French. Currently, 571 participants have received certificates, and in the future, Doom Education targets development up to 2,000 participants with support from young native Papuan trainers. This programme also represents the readiness of the Pulau Doom community in welcoming government policies related to strengthening English language learning in primary schools. As conveyed by the government through the Ministry of Education, English lessons will become compulsory at the primary school level starting next year. This information was shared in the ministry’s socialisation discussing English teaching for primary school teachers.