Reviewing Education Centre in Mimika, Gibran Highlights Inadequate Lighting

Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka highlighted the inadequate lighting in one of the classrooms during his visit to the Education Centre in Mimika Regency, Central Papua, on Tuesday, 21 April 2026.

Gibran visited SD Negeri, SMP Negeri, and SMA Negeri 5 at the Education Centre, interacting directly with students and educators.

“The classroom is very dark. Is the electricity off, Sir?” Gibran asked upon entering a class that was studying mathematics.

While looking at the classroom ceiling, Gibran noticed that only one light was functioning in the room, making it appear dim despite the windows being 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 Year 10 high school students, particularly regarding the Microsoft Excel formula programme.

“Hasn’t the formula material been taught yet? The numbers are still inputted manually, without using formulas? When will it be taught?” Gibran asked.

“It will be taught in Year 11, Sir,” replied Nurhayati, who has been an Informatics Teacher at the school for 1 year and 4 months.

A total of 1,031 students are pursuing education at the Mimika Education Centre, 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, Gibran again highlighted the inadequate lighting in the building.

“The maintenance is a bit lacking,” Gibran said before leaving the dormitory area.

Head of SMP Negeri Education Centre Anton Rante explained that the school provides dormitory facilities for students from remote areas to ensure continued access to education.

“We prioritise children from distant areas such as 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 guided as if by our own parents,” he said.