Jayapura – The Jayapura City Government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs, has officially launched the “People’s School” program, specifically designed for children from underprivileged families. The program, scheduled to commence in the 2025/2026 academic year, will offer free education with a boarding school system to ensure effective learning and development.
Jayapura Mayor Abisai Rollo emphasized that the program aims to provide equal educational opportunities for all children, regardless of their economic background. “We want to ensure that no child in Jayapura is left behind in education because they are the future of this region,” said Mayor Rollo during a press conference in Jayapura on Friday (June 13, 2025).
Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf stated that the People’s School program is part of a national strategy to enhance human resource development, particularly in Eastern Indonesia, including Papua. In addition to formal education, the program will equip students with life skills and foster national values to develop independent and character-driven individuals.
A total of 53 locations across various regions, including Papua, have been designated to support the implementation of the program. For instance, a 10-hectare plot in Biak Numfor has been prepared as a pilot site for the People’s School. The facilities will include modern classrooms, dormitories, cafeterias, places of worship, and sports fields.
The program is set to begin alongside the new academic year in 2025/2026. Children will be admitted based on specific criteria, primarily targeting those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds but who show a strong passion for learning.
With full support from the Ministry of Social Affairs and local governments, every student will receive a free education along with essential facilities such as accommodation and meals. Moreover, the program is expected to increase school participation rates, particularly in remote areas like Sentani Timur and Biak Numfor.
The program involves close cooperation between the central government, local authorities, and private entities. Biak Numfor Regent Markus Mansnembra confirmed that infrastructure surveys have been conducted to ensure readiness for the facilities and implementation of the program.
With the launch of the People’s School, it is hoped that children in Papua will have access to quality education, enabling them to contribute to the future development of their region.
