JAYAPURA REGENCY – Construction of the Sekolah Rakyat officially commenced with a groundbreaking ceremony in Maribu Village, Jayapura Regency, on Wednesday (July 22, 2026). The initiative is part of the government's effort to expand access to education, particularly for children from underprivileged families.

The groundbreaking ceremony was led by Papua Vice Governor Aryoko A.F. Rumaropen, accompanied by the Jayapura Regent and the Acting Regional Secretary of Papua Province. The project is a collaborative initiative between the Papua Provincial Government, Indonesia's Ministry of Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Public Works.

Aryoko stated that the establishment of the Sekolah Rakyat represents an important step toward providing broader educational opportunities for Papuan children to receive quality education.

"The establishment of the Sekolah Rakyat is tangible proof that the government is present to ensure that every Papuan child has an equal opportunity to access quality education," he said.

According to Aryoko, the construction of the Sekolah Rakyat is not merely about providing educational facilities, but also about making a long-term investment in developing high-quality human resources in Papua. The program is expected to nurture an intelligent generation, possesses strong character, and is capable of competing on a broader stage.

The Papua Provincial Government is also encouraging the involvement of indigenous Papuans as educators to ensure that the learning process is more closely aligned with the social and cultural characteristics of local communities. In addition, support from the public, government institutions, the private sector, and higher education institutions is considered essential to the program's success.

The construction of the Sekolah Rakyat aligns with the Papua CERAH vision—Smart, Prosperous, and Harmonious—which places human resource development as one of the province's top development priorities. The Papua Provincial Government hopes the project will be completed on schedule so that its benefits can soon be enjoyed by the community. ***