The Influences of Education on the Quality of Remote Children in Papua

 My Opinion: 

By: Jecky Kalakmabin

Atmajaya University of Catholic Indonesia Jakarta

Faculity of English Education Department

Internship Program for Data Research and Analyzie the Articel

Topic: The Influences of Education on the Quality of Remote Children in Papua

Introduction

Education is the main key to improving the quality of life of a person and society. However, in various remote areas, including inland Papua, access to education is still a big challenge. Children in rural Papua often face a lack of school facilities, a lack of teaching staff, as well as infrastructure and economic limitations.

As a result, many of them have difficulty getting a decent education, which impacts low literacy levels, skills, and job opportunities in the future. If the government does not immediately take serious steps, the educational gap between Papua and other regions in Indonesia will widen even further.

Education: The Key to Change in Inland Papua

Children in rural Papua have great potential to develop, but limited education makes it difficult for them to compete. If quality education can be provided equally, the impact will be very positive in several aspects, including:

1. Increase Papua's Human Resources

Good education will create a generation of Papuans who are intelligent and ready to compete in various fields, both at the national and global levels. Currently, many Papuan children only have limited access to basic education, making it difficult for them to continue to a higher level. If access to education is improved, more Papuan children will become doctors, engineers, teachers, and leaders in the future.

2. Reducing Social Inequality and Poverty

One of the main factors of poverty in Papua is the low level of education. Many people in the interior still live with traditional economic patterns because they do not have sufficient skills to work in the modern sector. With better education, they can get decent jobs, improve their standard of living, and reduce the social inequality that has occurred.

3. Prevent Exploitation and Discrimination

Lack of education makes Papuan children more vulnerable to exploitation and discrimination. They are often marginalized in the world of work and do not have equal access to economic and political opportunities. With a good education, they can better understand their rights and have a stronger bargaining position in social and economic life.

Educational Challenges in Remote Parts of Papua

Even though education has a big impact on improving the quality of life of Papuan children, there are still various obstacles that must be overcome, such as:

1. Minimal school infrastructure

Many schools in rural Papua are still in poor condition. Damaged school buildings, a lack of tables and chairs, and a lack of teaching materials are the main obstacles for children to study comfortably.

2. Lack of qualified teachers and teaching staff

There are very few teachers willing to teach in the interior of Papua. Many of them are reluctant to be placed in remote areas because of limited facilities and difficult living conditions. As a result, many schools only have one or two teachers to teach all subjects, even at higher levels.

3. Difficult access to transportation

In many remote areas of Papua, children have to walk for hours through forests and rivers to get to school. Difficult geographical conditions make it easier for them to drop out of school due to fatigue or unfavorable weather conditions.

4. Low Government Attention

Even though there are various educational programs from the government, their implementation is often not effective in Papua. Many education funds are not distributed properly, while education policies are still too centered on Jakarta and do not take into account the special needs of children in Papua.

Solution: How can education in  Interior Papua be improved?

To ensure that Papuan children receive quality education, there needs to be a more serious and sustainable policy from the government, including:

Improving School Infrastructure

Build decent and comfortable schools in rural areas.

Providing basic facilities such as books, internet, and electricity to make the learning process more effective.

Increasing the Number and Quality of Teachers

Provide greater incentives for teachers who want to teach in remote areas.

Train local teachers so they can teach with better methods and by Papuan culture.

Improving Transportation Access

Build better roads so children can get to school more easily.

Providing school buses or school boats for areas that are difficult to reach.

Adapting the Curriculum to Local Needs

Education must be based on culture and local economic needs so that Papuan children can learn things that are relevant to their lives.

Teaching practical skills such as modern agriculture, technology, and entrepreneurship so they can be more independent.

Conclusion

Education is the main weapon in improving the quality of children in remote Papua. Without proper education, they will continue to be left behind in various aspects of life. The government must be more serious about building an inclusive and sustainable education system for Papua because the future of this region depends on its young generation.

If education in Papua is not immediately improved, social and economic inequality will continue to widen. However, if done well, education can be a tool that frees the Papuan people from poverty and backwardness, while providing greater opportunities for them to develop and compete in the era of globalization.