Merauke, March 10, 2025 – The Provincial Government of South Papua, led by Governor Apolo Safanpo and Deputy Governor Paskalis Imadawa, has officially launched a sustainable development strategy based on four main pillars: education, healthcare, infrastructure, and community-based economic development. These priority programs were announced during a live interactive dialogue at the Public Broadcasting Agency, Radio Republik Indonesia (LPP‑RRI) Merauke.
During the session, Deputy Governor Paskalis Imadawa emphasized the importance of prioritizing dormitory-based education as a primary solution to the high dropout rates in remote villages:
“Over the past few years, we’ve allowed children to travel from home to school on their own, and as a result, many of them have dropped out—especially those living in local villages,”
— Paskalis Imadawa, Deputy Governor of South Papua.
He further stated that the government will focus on improving educational infrastructure, including teacher housing, classrooms, electricity, clean water, and internet connectivity. These improvements highlight the government’s commitment to strengthening educational facilities across the province.
Regarding the establishment of transitional housing, Paskalis added:
“We will also build safe houses in three regencies and in Merauke to accommodate children who have become addicted to glue-sniffing or alcohol. They will be rehabilitated there.”
This step is part of the government’s proactive efforts to address social issues—ranging from substance abuse to youth urbanization and school dropouts.
Paskalis also confirmed that in the near future, formal discussions with the Provincial House of Representatives (DPR) will be held to draft supporting regulations:
“Very soon, we will meet with the Regional House of Representatives (DPR) of South Papua Province to discuss the drafting of a Governor’s Regulation (Pergub) and Special Regional Regulation (Perdasus) focused on education.”
These regulations are expected to serve as long-term legal and fiscal foundations to support the government’s four key development pillars, especially in the education sector.
Key Focus Summary
- Education: Construction of dormitories and improvement of school facilities, including electricity, water, and internet access.
- Social Welfare: Establishment of safe houses for school dropouts and rehabilitation of children affected by substance abuse.
- Regulatory Support: Drafting of Governor’s Regulation (Pergub) and Special Regional Regulation (Perdasus) through collaboration with the South Papua DPR.
This initiative marks the beginning of a five-year development strategy in South Papua, with a strong focus on human resource development and resolving long-standing social issues.
