Sorong, Southwest Papua – The Provincial Government of Southwest Papua has officially launched a free education policy that applies to all levels of formal education, both public and private schools. This policy was announced by the Governor of Southwest Papua as part of the regional government’s commitment to provide unrestricted educational access for all children in the area, regardless of financial constraints.
The free education policy is set to be implemented starting from the 2025 academic year, targeting all regions within Southwest Papua, including remote and hard-to-reach areas that have long faced challenges in accessing education. With this policy, it is expected that no child will be hindered from continuing their education due to financial barriers.
The Governor explained that this program is not merely a short-term policy but a long-term investment to develop a quality human resource base capable of competing in the future. “We want to ensure every child has equal opportunities to learn, whether in public or private schools, regardless of their economic background,” he stated in an official statement received by the media.
To ensure the policy’s effective and targeted implementation, the regional government is currently developing supporting regulations and mechanisms. These include strict supervision to prevent illegal fees at schools and budget adjustments to secure the program’s sustainability.
This policy has been warmly welcomed by the community, especially parents who feel economically relieved. Educators in Southwest Papua also view this positively as it is expected to increase student participation and overall education quality in the region.
With free education now available for all schools, it is anticipated that dropout rates will significantly decrease, and the quality of education in Southwest Papua will continue to improve, supporting the comprehensive development of the region.
