Jayapura – Indonesia’s Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) has announced plans to establish three People’s Schools in Papua Province to expand access to education for underprivileged children. The schools will be located in the districts of Kepulauan Yapen, Sarmi, and Biak Numfor, with operations set to begin in the 2025–2026 academic year.
According to Jhon Mampioper, Head of the Regional VI Social Affairs Office, each school will accommodate up to 300 high school students. “The selection process will be conducted transparently, including direct verification of the candidates’ living conditions, parents’ occupations, and prior educational background,” Jhon stated on Friday (June 6, 2025).
To support the program, the Papua Provincial Government has proposed a 10-hectare plot in Maribu Village, Sentani Timur District, Jayapura. This site is planned to house a People’s School complex offering elementary, junior high, and senior high education, complete with boarding facilities to ensure integrated and continuous learning.
Yohanes Walilo, Assistant for Government and Welfare Affairs in Papua’s Regional Secretariat, praised the initiative. “The People’s School represents a significant opportunity to foster a competitive young generation in Papua. We fully support Kemensos in realizing this project,” Yohanes stated.
This initiative is part of the implementation of Presidential Instruction No. 8 of 2025 on Optimizing Extreme Poverty Alleviation. It aims to provide free, quality education, empowering Papua’s youth to maximize their potential.
Through the establishment of People’s Schools, the government hopes to bridge the education gap in Papua and offer equal opportunities for children from underprivileged families to achieve a brighter future.
