Driving Education Equity to Papua, Education Minister Launches School Revitalisation in Sorong
The government continues to strengthen education service equity across eastern Indonesia through the School Revitalisation Programme. Minister of Basic and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen), Abdul Mu’ti, officially launched the 2025 revitalisation results and handed out 2026 revitalisation aid for several schools in Sorong City and Sorong Regency, Southwest Papua.
Abdul Mu’ti stressed that the revitalisation programme is part of the government’s commitment to providing safe, comfortable learning environments that support quality education across the country.
‘We are committed to continuing this revitalisation until every corner of the nation is covered,’ Abdul Mu’ti said during the inauguration at SMK Negeri 1 Sorong City, Southwest Papua, on Tuesday (26/5).
In 2025, the revitalisation programme in Sorong City covers 12 schools with a total aid of Rp4.9 billion, while in Sorong Regency, it reaches 15 schools with Rp22 billion in assistance.
For 2026, the revitalisation aid for Sorong City is allocated to 5 schools with a total budget of Rp3.6 billion, while Sorong Regency receives support for 34 schools with Rp16.5 billion.
The Minister explained that the 2026 revitalisation priorities focus on schools affected by disasters, remote, border, and outermost regions (3T), and those with severe physical damage. The government aims to cover up to 71,744 educational institutions this year.
Beyond improving educational facilities, the revitalisation programme also boosts the local economy through self-managed schemes involving local workers and partners. In 2025, the revitalisation of 16,167 educational institutions absorbed around 250,000 workers and stimulated the local economy.
‘With this revitalisation, we hope not only to improve schools but also to boost the local economy, and together advance education across our nation,’ said the Professor from UIN Jakarta.
The benefits of the revitalisation programme are directly felt by beneficiary schools. The head of SMK Negeri 1 Sorong City, A.H.P. Ompusunggu, explained that before receiving the aid, the school faced limitations in toilet and library facilities. With around 1,600 students and a large campus area, the lack of toilets was a significant hurdle. Now, additional toilets greatly enhance student comfort.
The school also received a new library. He stated the facility would be utilised and developed further. ‘We are very grateful for this revitalisation aid. The library we received is excellent and will be expanded with a digital library,’ he said.
Similarly, the head of SMA Negeri 5 Sorong Regency, Ficce Loppies, said that before receiving Rp1.2 billion in revitalisation aid, the school’s administrative rooms were unfit, with leaking roofs, damaged floors, and needing laboratory repairs.
‘Teachers and students are very grateful and pleased everything now looks good. We hope that with the assistance from the President through the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, education in Papua can develop and advance,’ he said.
Through the revitalisation programme, the school received renovations to the principal’s office, administrative offices, teacher rooms, computer lab, chemistry lab, biology lab, and a new classroom. The additional classroom allows the school to add one more learning group (rombel).
‘We usually accommodate four rombels. In the 2026/2027 academic year, with the new classroom, we can add one more,’ Ficce said.
Meanwhile, the head of SD Negeri 21 Sorong Regency, Alfina Lewerissa, is a recipient of the 2026 revitalisation aid. Her school will receive Rp1.2 billion for rehabilitating three classrooms, constructing administrative offices, and a school health unit (UKS).
She explained that the previous classrooms were uncomfortable for learning due to cracked floors and damaged ceilings. She said the revitalisation aid would motivate teachers and students to improve learning quality.
‘I am grateful for this opportunity as our school received revitalisation aid from the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education. May the new rooms motivate both students and teachers,’ Alfina said.
The presence of new classrooms, adequate laboratories and libraries, and proper sanitation facilities are crucial to ensure students can study with focus and confidence. By strengthening educational infrastructure across eastern Indonesia, the government aims to ensure Papuan children have equal opportunities to access quality education. (H-2)
Private schools are strategic government partners, and it is the government’s duty to provide assistance to private schools.
Minister Abdul Mu’ti reiterated the government’s efforts to ensure all Indonesian children have access to decent education, including in remote areas.