Papua Governor Proposes Prioritising Local Teachers for 'Sekolah Rakyat' Programme

Jayapura (ANTARA) - Papua Governor Mathius D. Fakhiri has proposed that teaching staff for the Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools) programme be prioritised from native Papuans, in a bid to support the improvement of education quality while opening up employment opportunities for local graduates.

“We hope that native Papuan sons and daughters are given the opportunity to teach in Sekolah Rakyat so they can serve while helping their younger siblings obtain a proper education,” Fakhiri said in Jayapura on Wednesday.

According to Fakhiri, the proposal has been conveyed to Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf so that these local teachers can demonstrate their teaching abilities.

“On Monday (29/6), we visited the Minister of Social Affairs to discuss the use of local teachers in Sekolah Rakyat and the acceleration of development,” he stated.

He explained that teachers in Papua Province are no less capable than those from outside the region.

“Because all this time, some of our children have pursued education at various universities, including abroad, so it is certain they possess the best abilities,” he added.

He further noted that during the meeting with the Minister of Social Affairs, his administration also proposed that the construction of Sekolah Rakyat be expanded to areas with high geographical challenges, such as Mamberamo Raya Regency and Waropen Regency.

“Currently, four pioneer Sekolah Rakyat have been operating in Papua since 2025, located in Sarmi Regency, Biak Numfor Regency, and Jayapura City. Each school accommodates around 100 high school level students, while the elementary and junior high school levels each prepare for around 50 students,” he said.

He explained that the administration hopes the permanent buildings to be constructed can begin operating by 2027, so that educational services become more evenly distributed while empowering native Papuan teachers.