Gibran highlights inadequate lighting during inspection of Mimika Education Centre

Mimika, Central Papua (ANTARA) - Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka highlighted the inadequate lighting in one of the classrooms during his inspection of the Sentra Pendidikan in Mimika Regency, Central Papua, on Tuesday. The Vice President visited the state primary school, junior high school, and Senior High School 5 at the Sentra Pendidikan, interacting directly with students and educators. “The classroom is very dark. Is the electricity off, Sir?” Gibran asked upon entering a classroom where mathematics was being taught. While looking at the classroom ceiling, Gibran noticed that only one light was functioning in the room, making it appear dimly lit even with the windows open. During his inspection, Vice President Gibran visited several classroom facilities, including the science and informatics laboratories. In the informatics laboratory, the Vice President paid attention to the teaching materials provided to the 10th-grade high school students, particularly regarding the Microsoft Excel formula programme. “Haven’t they been taught the formula material yet? The numbers are still inputted manually, without using formulas? When will it be taught?” the Vice President asked. “It will be taught in 11th grade, Sir,” replied Nurhayati, who has been an informatics teacher at the school for 1 year and 4 months. In total, there are 1,031 students pursuing education at the Sentra Pendidikan Mimika, consisting of 205 primary school students, 285 junior high school students, and 541 high school students. In addition to classrooms and school facilities, Gibran also inspected the dormitory where the students reside. Upon entering the dormitory corridor, the Vice President also highlighted the inadequate lighting in the building. “The maintenance is a bit lacking, isn’t it,” said the Vice President before leaving the dormitory area. Head of the Sentra Pendidikan State Junior High School, Anton Rante, explained that the Sentra Pendidikan school provides dormitory facilities for students from remote areas to ensure continued access to education. “What we prioritise are children from distant areas like coastal regions or villages without family in the city, so they can stay in the dormitory,” he said. He emphasised that all student needs are funded by the government, including schooling, dormitory, uniforms, and meals. In line with that, one junior high school student, Nikolausma Payau, admitted to having a positive experience while living in the dormitory. “I feel very comfortable in the dormitory, and there we are also guided like by our own parents,” he said. He hoped that the Vice President’s visit would motivate students to continue learning. Meanwhile, Head of the Sentra Pendidikan State Primary School, Syamsiah Muksin, explained that the Sentra Pendidikan School, established in 2010, is intended for children from various indigenous tribes of Mimika. “This school was founded for the native sons and daughters of Mimika, from the two major Kamoro and Amungme tribes, as well as five other related tribes,” she said. During the visit, Vice President Gibran was accompanied by, among others, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Ribka Haluk, Central Papua Governor Meki Nawipa, Mimika Deputy Regent Emanuel Kemong, Mimika Education Office Head Cahyono, and Head of Sentra Pendidikan Senior High School 5 Martius Wenda.