Merauke, Indonesia – The provincial government of South Papua has handed over a school bus to SMA YPPK Petrus Hoeboer, a high school in the remote district of Boven Digoel. The symbolic handover was conducted by Vice Governor Paskalis Imadawa on Tuesday (June 10, 2025), as part of efforts to improve education access in Indonesia’s underdeveloped regions.
Vice Governor Imadawa emphasized the importance of proper management for the bus’s sustainability. “Past experience has shown that when vehicles are directly given to communities without structured oversight, they often break down within months,” he said. To prevent this, the bus will be managed by the local parish, with drivers receiving incentives from the provincial transportation department.
In addition to the school bus, the government is preparing two Hilux pickup trucks—one of which will be allocated to Mindiptana’s oldest nuns’ clinic, supporting healthcare access in the region.
Notably, Vice Governor Imadawa is an alumnus of the school, which was established decades ago in the Muyu-Mandobo area. “This institution once stood as a pioneer in local education, but its reputation has faded over time. We are committed to revitalizing it,” he stated.
He also highlighted the decline of moral education in urban schools, contrasting it with the stronger values retained in rural areas. “In cities, we struggle with student discipline and ethics. But in villages like Mindiptana, we still find students with good character—this is where true education thrives,” he added.
Nelson Sasarari, Head of South Papua’s Transportation Department, explained that the initiative aligns with the governor’s vision to enhance mobility not only for education but also for agriculture. “We are providing transport solutions to help farmers bring their produce to markets, boosting local economies,” he said.
This program reflects Indonesia’s broader efforts to bridge infrastructure gaps in its eastern provinces, where geographic isolation often hinders development.
