Wamena – The Government of the Papua Pegunungan Province through the Education and Culture Service continues to encourage the young generation in its region to pursue education up to the university level. This step was taken as part of the government’s serious efforts to increase the Human Development Index (IPM) which is still low in the region.
The Head of the Papua Mountains Education and Culture Office, Aron Wanimbo, when met in Wamena on Saturday (30/3), said that education is the only most effective way to encourage the improvement of the quality of human resources in the Mountains of Papua.
“If you want this area to progress and the people to be prosperous, then education is the key. We must encourage our children to not only complete basic education, but also to university,” said Aron.
Currently, IPM in Pegunungan Papua Province is recorded to only reach 54,43 percent in 2024. This number shows that there are still many challenges in the aspects of education, health, and welfare that need to be overcome seriously and systematically.
According to Aron, one of the main factors of low IPM is the low participation of the community in formal education, especially at the middle and university levels. Many young people in the Mountains of Papua who drop out of school after graduating from junior high school or senior high school due to various obstacles, ranging from economic factors to accessibility.
“We at the Education Office together with the Provincial Government are preparing various strategies, including the provision of scholarships and partnership programs, so that children from remote areas also have the same opportunities to study in universities,” he continued.
Aron also emphasized the importance of the role of parents and the community in building awareness of the importance of education. He hopes that parents can support their children to continue school and not drop out in the middle of the road.
“Don’t make limitations as an obstacle. The government is here to help, and what we need now is the spirit of learning from the children and full support from the family,” he added.
The Government of the Pegunungan Papua Province continues to strengthen policies and budgets that support the education sector. Various strategic programs are being designed, ranging from improving school infrastructure, providing quality teaching staff, to expanding access to scholarships and educational assistance.
With strong encouragement from the government and the support of all elements of the community, it is hoped that the young generation of the Papuan Mountains will be able to be a change agent for the progress of the region and bring the Papua Mountains to a better direction in the future.
