Papuan Children's Dream of Independent Learning That Has Never Been Achieved
A comprehensive solution continues to be awaited so that Papuan children can learn freely without being affected by the ongoing conflict.
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Maklon Alimdam saw the rubble of a number of classrooms at SMA Negeri 1 Oksibil on December 7 2021. The armed criminal group led by Lamek Taplo said they were responsible for this action.
The long-standing conflict in Papua has an impact on many aspects, including education. While the education world in other regions of the country continues to move forward with the spirit of the Merdeka Belajar curriculum, it is difficult to achieve the same in Papua.
The freedom to carry out learning activities within the Merdeka Belajar curriculum seems to be only a dream for children in many regions in Papua. Even those living in conflict-prone areas are not entirely free or independent to simply receive education from teachers.
The endless conflict since decades ago between the authorities and a group labeled the Free Papua Organization (OPM) has resulted in various basic and supporting aspects of education in Papua being sacrificed.
Gunfire exchanges have been ongoing in the area for almost a week, prompting the TNI and Polri forces from Satgas Damai Cartenz and Komando Operasi (Koops) Habema to increase their personnel. The increasingly tense situation prompted a teacher originally from Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi, to leave Pogapa.
Also read: Educational Facilities Become Terror Targets, OPM Burns Schools in Intan Jaya
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The children of Mapia witnessed the arrival of a social assistance convoy from the Ministry of Social Affairs on Brasi Island, Mapia Village, West Supiori District, Supiori Regency, Papua, on Tuesday (12/9/2023).
"The teacher who taught at the school that was burned down has left there (Pogapa) and returned to their hometown. They were evacuated during the retrieval of the shooting victim's body," said the Head of the Peace Public Relations Task Force, Commissioner Bayu Suseno, on Monday (6/5/2024).
Also read: KKB Burned 17 School Facilities in Papua in the Last Three Years
According to Kompas's records, OPM actions that burned school facilities occurred in a number of areas, such as Intan Jaya, Puncak and the Bintang Mountains. In the period 2021-2024, OPM was recorded as burning down at least 18 schools, from elementary, middle and high school levels, in these three districts.
The action has a significant impact on the education world in Papua. Academic from the University of Papua, Agus Sumule, revealed that the various problems that occurred clearly hindered education in Papua. Papuan children are increasingly losing opportunities to learn. The problem of a shortage of teachers is also becoming more severe.
Therefore, it is not surprising that the Human Development Index (HDI) in Papua is far behind. In 2022, for example, Papua's HDI was 61.39 percent, below the national average of 73.77 percent. That figure even seems lower than the HDI in western Indonesia a decade ago. In 2012, for instance, West Java's HDI reached 67.32 percent.
Agus presented that the Regional Education Balance Sheet document from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology also indicates serious issues in the education world in the new autonomous regions (DOB) in Papua. These issues include the high number of out-of-school children and teacher shortages.
Also read: Out-of-School Children in Papua Reach 314,606 Children
Central Papua is recorded as the region with the highest number of out-of-school children compared to the other three regions, with a total of 95,380 people. The number of out-of-school children in the Papua Mountains reaches 95,022 people, 92,988 people in South Papua, and 31,216 people in Southwest Papua.
Meanwhile, the Mountainous Papua recorded a shortage of 4,272 teachers, Central Papua with a shortage of 3,331 teachers, South Papua with a shortage of 3,167 teachers, and Southwest Papua still needs 2,798 teachers.
"The issue of teacher availability is actually a very basic need, but until now it has been difficult to fulfill. This problem continues to wait for a comprehensive solution," said Agus, who is also a demographic researcher in Papua.
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Students pay attention to SM3T teacher, Junisa Samosir, who is teaching in grade III at Inpres Tiom Elementary School, Lanny Jaya, Papua, on Tuesday (28/7/2015).
Teacher absence
The complexity of education problems in Papua has also become a concern of the United Nations Children's Agency (Unicef) since the early 2000s. Unicef educational specialist staff member Representative for Papua, Pria Santri Beringin, said that the complexity of the problems in Papua means that teacher absences in schools are high. As a result, many teaching and learning processes do not work.
Students claim that teachers are a crucial necessity for children's education in Papua. Based on UNICEF's research from July 2022 to January 2023, there has been a long-term absence of teachers in several Papua regions. Some schools reported that teachers have not been present at all for six months, and even up to three years.
"The causes vary, ranging from transportation problems, bad weather, housing, teacher comfort, to reasons for conflict," said Santri.
Also read: Papua Special Autonomy Day, Long Road to Prosperity
However, according to Santri, this issue should not make children in Papua lose their right to education. That is why, in several conflict-affected areas, Unicef provides education through emergency learning schemes.
Students from Islamic boarding schools set an example by showing that the prolonged conflict in Nduga District, Mountainous Papua, has caused people to flee to Jayawijaya District, the capital of Mountainous Papua. In the refugee camps, a UNICEF team and volunteers were present to teach children.
"However, when there is conflict, they will flee to another district, creating administrative obstacles when it comes to examinations related to educational basic data (dapodik). Thus, the two local governments need to coordinate in terms of dapodik," he said.
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A number of first-grade students from YPPK Don Bosco Ewer Elementary School, Asmat Regency, Papua, waved their hands as they were photographed in between their study hours at school on Monday (22/1/2018).
Despite facing various challenges, children in the remote areas of Papua actually show a high enthusiasm for pursuing education. This was expressed by a teacher in the remote areas of Papua, Refol Malimpu (34).
This man from Poso Regency, Central Sulawesi, has been dedicating himself to one of the primary schools in Mamit Village, Kembu District, Tolikara Regency, Papua Highlands since 2013.
Refol recounts that many of his students come from villages around Kembu District. Some of them even have to walk for days and stay overnight at relatives' houses near the school.
"Children here are very enthusiastic. They are very happy when there is a teacher so they can learn," said Refol. Therefore, he hopes that the right to education for Papua's children can always be taken into account despite various ongoing issues.
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A number of class I students at YPPK Don Bosco Ewer Elementary School, Asmat Regency, Papua, attend lessons at school, Monday (22/1/2018).
Education through the church
Agus Sumule stated that with various issues, a comprehensive solution is needed to advance education in Papua. He mentioned that Papua University has developed a number of plans to address these issues to the Papua People's Council (MRP).
According to Agus, MRP as an institution that represents various elements, namely customs, religion, and women, is expected to seek solutions together with the government. One proposed solution is to intensify the provision of education by church institutions.
"The organization of education by the church must be encouraged again. In the past, this education was effective. Now, it is only a matter of the government's willingness to ensure regulations to make it work to the fullest. It should be noted that all parties currently in conflict still respect the church," he said.
The children here are very enthusiastic. They are very happy when there is a teacher so they can learn.
Vice President Maruf Amin held a dialogue with church representatives from the Papua Church Fellowship and West Papua Church Fellowship on Wednesday (11/10/2023) in Abepura, Papua.
It also caught the attention of Vice President Ma'ruf Amin when he visited and set up his office in Papua in October 2023. At that time, he emphasized the significant role of religious leaders in Papua in realizing prosperity and security in the region.
"In order to make Papua more prosperous and more advanced, the role of leaders, church leaders, pastors is key or now people say game changer," said Vice President Amin, starting a dialogue with church leaders in Jayapura. Papua, Wednesday (11/10/2023).
Also read: Vice President: Religious Leaders in Papua Take a "Game Changer" Role
At that time, religious leaders also provided several recommendations, one of which was to increase the number of primary school teachers and early childhood education in Papua. The church hopes to be entrusted to provide teacher training education to produce committed teachers.
The commitment to comprehensive problem solving is crucial. In doing so, at least Papuan children can remain independent to learn without being influenced by the conflicts of those seeking independence.
