WAMENA – After officially being inaugurated as the first Governor and Deputy Governor of the newly established Papua Pegunungan Province, Jhon Tabo and Ones Pahabol are set to fulfill their campaign promises, including implementing a boarding school system and providing free education up to the university level.
Governor of Papua Pegunungan, Jhon Tabo, stated that one of the key programs introduced is the boarding school system. This initiative is being carried out due to the geographical challenges and unique characteristics of the Papua Pegunungan region, which make it difficult for children in remote villages to access quality education.
“Boarding school-based education, and this program will be linked with a nutritious meal program,” he said after the inauguration at the State Palace in Jakarta yesterday.
He expressed his hope that children in the villages will be educated through these boarding schools, where their sole responsibility will be to study and attend school. All meals and drinks will be provided by the government. Additionally, education costs will be fully covered.
“From kindergarten, elementary school, and junior high school, the responsibility lies with the regencies. Senior high schools/vocational schools and higher education, including sending high-performing students to study abroad, will fall under the responsibility of the Papua Pegunungan Provincial Government,” Jhon Tabo explained.
The former Regent of Tolikara and Mamberamo Raya believes that this program represents a shared responsibility between the province and its eight regencies, and its success will be measured by both output and outcome. According to him, despite large budget allocations from the central government in the past, outcomes have remained negligible.
“How many have graduated as professors, PhDs, master’s or bachelor’s degree holders? This has never been properly recorded. Therefore, under our administration, this will be one of our key priorities,” emphasized Jhon Tabo.
