Wamena, Papua (ANTARA) – The Primary and Secondary Education Ministry, through its Education Financing Service Center (Puslapdik), says the secondary education affirmation program (ADEM) aims to achieve equal access to education across Indonesia.
Puslapdik delegate Setyo Utomo said in a written statement received here on Monday that the secondary education affirmation program gives underprivileged children in remote, frontier, and outermost regions the opportunity to obtain a good education.
“Through this secondary education affirmation program, 57 children from the Highland Papua region have completed senior high school in East Java, Central Java, and Bali since 2023-2026. The program continues this year with 100 students studying in West Java, Banten, East Java, and Central Java,” he said.
According to him, the 57 students from Highland Papua who received the scholarship were spread across three regions: 26 in East Java, 13 in Central Java, and 18 in Bali.
“We certainly hope that after completing their studies in Java and Bali, their character, discipline, and mindset will improve, so they can become a generation that brings change to the Highland Papua region,” he said.
He explained that these 57 children represent extraordinary potential for the Highland Papua region, especially for its eight districts: Jayawijaya, Yahukimo, Nduga, Tolikara, Pegunungan Bintang, Lanny Jaya, Yalimo, and Mamberamo Tengah.
“We really hope these 57 children can serve as an example for other children in Highland Papua, so that they can follow the same path and become the future generation of Highland Papua,” he said.
He expressed hope that children given the opportunity to study outside Papua would receive support, especially from their families.
“We hope parents will also give full support to their children who have the opportunity to study outside Papua. They study outside Papua so that their character, personality, spirit, and mindset can change to help develop their full potential,” he said.
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Translator: Yudhi, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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