Indonesia’s Southwest Papua Governor Confirms Province-Wide Free Education Program from 2025

Sorong, The Gulf Observer: Indonesia’s Southwest Papua Governor Elisa Kambu has announced that the province will implement a free education program across all educational levels starting from the new academic year in 2025.

Speaking in Sorong on Wednesday, Kambu emphasized that the initiative is part of the government’s commitment to ensuring equal educational opportunities for all residents.

“Free education will be available from early childhood education to elementary, junior high, high school, and vocational schools. This is our priority,” he stated.

Under the program, all educational institutions in the province will waive admission and tuition fees. “We are committed to ensuring that this will be fully implemented in the new academic year,” Kambu affirmed.

Beyond education, the governor highlighted the provincial government’s focus on improving access to quality and affordable healthcare services. He stressed the need for cooperation between district and provincial administrations to ensure the availability of specialist doctors in every hospital across the province.

Kambu also reiterated the importance of comprehensive child development programs, aligning with President Prabowo Subianto’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) initiative. He underscored that efforts to nurture a quality generation in Southwest Papua should begin from pregnancy and continue through early childhood development.

“We will work together to implement and optimize these programs for the well-being of our people,” he added.

Meanwhile, Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) member Yan Mandenas has urged local governments in Papua to remain consistent in allocating budgets for free education, ensuring sustainable access to learning for future generations.