Universitas Pelita Harapan Hosts Youth Forum Researching Policy Resolutions for Papuan Education Equity 

TANGERANG, 2024 – Universitas Pelita Harapan reaffirms its commitment to contributing to policy research by organizing and hosting the 2024 Joint Statement Forum on June 25-26, 2024. The forum identified significant challenges in the province, citing data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) Papua which indicated high illiteracy rates. In 2020, the illiteracy rate for residents in Nduga reached 77.8 percent, while Lanny Jaya recorded the lowest literacy rate for the 15-24 age group. These figures underscore the urgent need for targeted educational interventions. 

The proposed policy resolutions address several key areas. A central recommendation is for the government to provide and revitalize educational facilities and infrastructure to ensure an optimal learning environment. The delegates also urged for an increase in security measures in conflict-prone areas to safeguard the educational process for both students and teachers. 

To address the shortage and welfare of educators, the forum proposed the establishment of a specialized institution, the Empowerment and Welfare Institute for Papua Pegunungan Teachers (LPK-GPP), under the Ministry of Education. This body would oversee guarantees for teacher welfare, including upgrading the status of honorary teachers to state civil apparatus (ASN), increasing allowances, and providing incentives. The proposals also call for structured knowledge transfer programs and a “Teacher Localization” initiative through a local College of Education to develop regional talent. 

Further recommendations emphasize community involvement and diversified funding, pushing for stronger Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), optimized use of state and village funds, and collaboration with non-governmental organizations. The development of an environmentally-based boarding school, named “Sekar Papua,” was also put forward as a solution to accessibility challenges. 

Following the formal presentation of the communique, selected delegates are scheduled to work with government agencies to refine and implement the recommendations, ensuring the initiative moves from proposal to practical policy to help achieve the national “Indonesia Emas 2045” vision. 

Source: https://adv.kompas.id/baca/peran-pemuda-indonesia-dalam-upaya-pemerataan-di-bumi-cendrawasih/