NTT Education Access Crisis Highlighted as Commission X Gathers Input for Revision of National Education System Law
The crisis of secondary education access in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) has come under the spotlight from the House of Representatives’ Commission X. During a working visit, parliamentarians discovered that many areas remain unserved by secondary schools and suffer from a shortage of teachers.
The team leader and Deputy Chairman of Commission X, Lalu Hadrian Irfani, stated that the visit aimed to directly absorb local issues as input for revising the National Education System Law (Sisdiknas).
“Today we are visiting NTT Province; we hope for various inputs, especially in the field of education. Earlier, we had a brief discussion with the Governor and it will continue with a more comprehensive discussion with various stakeholders regarding the state of education in NTT,” Lalu explained on Wednesday (22/4/2025).
He emphasised that local issues are a crucial note in revising the Sisdiknas Law.
“There are still areas that are not served for secondary education; this is an important note for us. We hope that the inputs and aspirations of the people regarding the quality and access to education in NTT will receive attention from the government,” he clarified.
In addition to access, issues of teacher shortages and the need for new school construction, particularly for senior high schools (SMA), also emerged in the meeting.
Governor: Not Just a Formality
NTT Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena views this working visit as an opportunity for real momentum, not merely a ceremonial agenda.
“We greatly appreciate this working visit. This visit has important substance as part of efforts to strengthen national education policy,” said Laka Lena.
He stressed that NTT still faces fundamental problems such as limited secondary education services and a scarcity of teachers, which impacts educational quality.
“We thank you for the working visit from Commissions III and X in NTT. We hope this visit brings positive impacts to us in NTT,” he stated.
Commission X’s working visit is scheduled to inspect the University of Nusa Cendana, sports facilities for the 2028 XXII PON venue in Kupang, and hold discussions with local government and the NTT Statistics Agency (BPS).
Previously, Laka Lena along with DPRD Chairman Emilia Nomleni also received the working visit from Commissions III and X at El Tari Airport.
Commission III is scheduled to coordinate with the NTT Attorney General’s Office, Police, and National Narcotics Agency (BNN) at the Attorney General’s Office. Meanwhile, Commission X will visit the NTT Education and Culture Office.
For Commission III, attendees include Benny Kabur Harman (team leader), Siti Aisyah, Bob Hasan, and Andi Amar Sulaiman.
For Commission X, attendees include Lalu Hadrian Irfani (team leader), Himmatul Aliyah, Ashraff Abu, Juliyatmono, Ruby Chairani Syiffadia, Andi Ramly, Ledia Hanifa, Muhammad Amin, and Anita Jacoba Gah.