Pemprov Papua Rencanakan Pembangunan SLB di Jayapura dan Supiori pada 2027

Kepala Dinas Pendidikan Provinsi Papua, Marthen Medlama, mengatakan pembangunan SLB menjadi bagian dari upaya pemerintah menyediakan layanan pendidikan yang dapat dijangkau seluruh anak, termasuk penyandang disabilitas. Penyediaan fasilitas sekolah perlu didukung tenaga pendidik yang memadai agar anak dapat belajar sesuai kebutuhan dan kemampuannya.

“Setiap anak memiliki hak yang sama untuk memperoleh pendidikan tanpa diskriminasi sehingga perlu didukung melalui penyediaan fasilitas sekolah dan tenaga pendidik yang memadai,” kata Marthen di Jayapura, Sabtu.

Menurutnya, keberadaan SLB di Kabupaten Jayapura dan Supiori diharapkan mempermudah anak berkebutuhan khusus mendapatkan akses belajar yang layak. Dengan tersedianya layanan pendidikan di daerah, anak-anak diharapkan memiliki kesempatan lebih besar untuk mengembangkan potensi dan kemampuan mereka.

Marthen juga meminta orang tua memberikan kesempatan kepada anak berkebutuhan khusus untuk mengikuti pendidikan sesuai kebutuhannya. Ia mengingatkan agar keterbatasan yang dimiliki anak tidak menjadi alasan untuk menghalangi mereka memperoleh pendidikan.

“Jangan sampai anak-anak yang seharusnya bersekolah di SLB justru hanya tinggal di rumah. Mereka juga memiliki hak untuk mendapatkan pendidikan,” ujarnya.

Dinas Pendidikan Papua, lanjut Marthen, akan terus memberikan perhatian terhadap pendidikan anak berkebutuhan khusus agar mereka dapat melanjutkan pendidikan ke jenjang lebih tinggi atau mempersiapkan diri memasuki dunia kerja.

“Ke depan kami bakal terus memberikan perhatian yang lebih kepada anak berkebutuhan khusus agar dapat meraih pendidikan hingga jenjang lebih tinggi atau bekerja,” katanya.

Selain pembangunan fasilitas pendidikan, pemerintah juga membuka peluang pemberian beasiswa bagi siswa SLB berprestasi yang ingin melanjutkan pendidikan. Dukungan tersebut diarahkan untuk membantu siswa mengembangkan kemampuan sekaligus memperoleh kesempatan pendidikan lanjutan.

“Oleh sebab itu kami akan membuka peluang pemberian beasiswa bagi siswa SLB berprestasi dan ingin melanjutkan pendidikan ke jenjang lebih tinggi sebagai bentuk dukungan terhadap pengembangan kemampuan melalui program Mace,” ujar Marthen. ***

Marthen Medlama, head of the Papua Provincial Education Office, said the construction of special education schools is part of the government's efforts to ensure access to education for all children, including those with disabilities. He emphasized that adequate school facilities must be complemented by qualified teachers to ensure that children receive education tailored to their individual needs and abilities.

“Every child has an equal right to education without discrimination. Therefore, adequate school facilities and qualified teachers must be provided to support their learning,” Marthen said in Jayapura on Saturday.

According to Marthen, the establishment of special education schools in Jayapura and Supiori regencies is expected to improve access to appropriate education for children with special needs. By bringing educational services closer to their communities, the initiative will provide children with greater opportunities to develop their potential and abilities.

Marthen also encouraged parents to ensure that children with special needs have access to education suited to their individual needs. He stressed that a child's disability should never be a barrier to education.

“Children who should be attending special education schools must not be left at home. They also have the right to receive an education,” he said.

Marthen added that the Papua Provincial Education Office would continue to prioritize education for children with special needs, helping them pursue higher levels of education or prepare for employment.

“Going forward, we will continue to pay greater attention to children with special needs so that they can pursue higher education or find employment,” he said.

In addition to improving educational facilities, the provincial government is considering offering scholarships to high-achieving students at special education schools who wish to continue their studies. The proposed support aims to help students develop their abilities and pursue further education.

“We will therefore explore scholarship opportunities for high-achieving students at special education schools who wish to pursue higher education. This will be part of our efforts to support the development of their abilities through the Mace program,” Marthen said. ***