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https://en.jubi.co.id/papua-needs-more-than-30000-teachers-especially-in-rural-areas/
1) PAPUA NEEDS MORE THAN 30,000 TEACHERS, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS
Jayapura, Jubi – The number of active teachers in Papua is very lacking, especially in areas where the population is predominantly Indigenous Papuan.
Agriculture lecturer of University of Papua Agus Sumule said the distribution of teachers in Papua was not equal, with fewer teachers in areas where Indigenous Papuan lived, compared to areas inhabited by non-Papuan people.
In Papua Province, the shortage of teachers includes 7,038 elementary school teachers, 3,973 junior high school teachers, 1,217 high school teachers, and 1,162 vocational teachers. This shortage is aggravated by the number of teachers who will retire, which is 1,250 people.
Meanwhile, in West Papua Province, there is a shortage of 2,313 elementary teachers, 1,429 junior high teachers, 747 high school teachers, 514 vocational school teachers, while 504 teachers will retire.
“It is estimated that the shortage of teachers is more than 30,000,” said Sumule.
Sumule said that until 2019, the number of teachers actively teaching were the least in Jayawijaya, Cental Mamberamo, Yahukimo, Yalimo, Nduga, Tolikara, Lanny Jaya, Bintang Mountains, Paniai, Deiyai, Dogiyai, Intan Jaya, Puncak Jaya, and Puncak. In these areas, there is a shortage of 427 kindergarten teachers, 4,076 elementary teachers, 1,916 junior high teachers, 917 high school teachers, and 430 vocational school teachers.
“Such a phenomenon shows that many teachers who are placed by the government in these areas are absent from their assignments. A UNICEF study in 2012 showed that 30 percent of teachers in Papua and West Papua were absent from teaching,” said Sumule.
He went on to say that teacher education programs were needed more than ever to address the shortage of teachers in Papua.
“On the other hand, the government must also attend the need of other functions such as administrative staff, librarians, information technology specialists, and improve school infrastructures such as school buildings, offices, electricity, toilets, clean water, and internet networks,” he said.
According to Sumule, those who are trained to become professional teachers should be young Indigenous Papuans who meet the requirements and recruited from areas that lack teachers. The recruitment process must also involve religious and traditional institutions. Thus, teachers are truly the people who have a calling to teach, and they will feel at home working in the field as classroom teachers, community teachers, and “congregational” teachers.
A teacher named Felisa said there were actually many people willing to teach in the interior of Papua. However, there must be security guarantees for the teacher.
“Actually, many people want it but sometimes our efforts are not appreciated. We want to be present in the interior but who can survive the terror? We don’t want to return to our hometown with only names,” she said.
Felisa told a story of when she taught at Inpres Suntamon Elementary School in Yahukimo Regency in 2018. She was contracted through the Smart Indonesia Foundation program. She and her other five friends only lasted a year teaching there.
“At that time, suddenly there was a group of people who plotted to expel us when the leader in the area was not there,” she said.
According to Felisa, during the year she served to teach in Yahukimo, the people were very kind and friendly. The people often brought them vegetables and sweet potatoes. However, due to security reasons, Felisa and her friends decided not to return to teaching at the school.
Felisa currently teaches Counseling Guidance at YPPK Teruna Bakti Junior High School in Waena.
“They (the community in Yahukimo) asked us to come back but we did not because we were afraid something bad would happen to us,” she said. (*)
Reporter: Theo Kelen
Editor: Syofiardi
Timika, Jubi – Lawmaker of the Papuan Legislative Council Feryana Wakerkwa appreciates the performance of the security forces in Sinak District, Puncak Regency, Papua. According to a number of community leaders whom Wakerkwa met in Sinak, the area previously affected by armed conflict throughout 2015 and 2016 is now relatively safe because the Indonesian Military (TNI) there are able to communicate with local residents.
“I just came back from Sinak, I spent New Year Eve there with the elderly and the community. In a meeting with the elderly and priests there, they said that Sinak was safe now. They even ask to keep the current Military District commander because he is considered good and can protect the community,” Wakerkwa told Jubi on Tuesday, January 4, 2022.
Wakerkwa told how the Sinak people regarded the response of the security forces the past three years. “Usually, if any of their members are shot or become victims, the security forces go after the perpetrators. But if they don’t find the perpetrators, civilians become the target. But now it’s different. People say that the TNI [in Sinak] protects the community through good communication with the community and community leaders,” he said.
The name Sinak District was known through the incident on March 15, 2016, wherein four construction workers of the Trans Papua road from the Ilaga-Mulia District were shot dead and at least three civilians were taken hostage by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) led by Lekagak Telenggen and Kalenak Murib.
During the incident, excavators, bulldozers, and other heavy equipment were set on fire. The location of the attack was in Agenggen Village. The incident started when dozens of people suddenly appeared and immediately attacked five workers of PT Modern. One worker managed to escape, whereas four others were killed, including the contractor named Anis.
Now, Sinak’s situation is claimed to be much safer as TNI soldiers stationed there can communicate with local residents. Commander of Sinak Military Command Muhammad David, whom Jubi also met in Sinak, said he was ready to carry out the tasks assigned to provide security and comfort for the community. “We are ready,” he said briefly in response to the extension of his command in Sinak.
Meanwhile, TNI Commander Gen. Andika Perkasa instructed soldiers in Papua and West Papua to prioritize social communication to improve the relationship between the TNI and various community groups. It is hoped that this social communication will foster a sense of mutual understanding and friendship in maintaining the country’s sovereignty. (*)
Reporter: Yuliana Lantipo
Editor: Arya Wisanggeni G
Jakarta, Jubi – Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Gen. Andika Perkasa instructed his staff on Sunday, January 2, 2022 that the priority of the work of the TNI Headquarters Task Force in Papua and West Papua provinces was to prioritize social communication with the local community.
Andika said social communication was part of the TNI’s territorial development task, which aimed to improve the relationship between the TNI and various community groups so that mutual understanding and friendship would grow to maintain the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia.
According to Andika, the Army carries out territorial guidance referring to aspects of geography, population, and social communication. Meanwhile, the main task of the Air Force is to develop aerospace potential and social communication, and the Navy is to develop maritime potential and social communication.
Not only changing the focus of work, Andika also merged and added task force personnel, moved posts, and added facilities needed by the task force.
“I have the responsibility to prepare in advance the new military posts, realistically speaking. And even though we have chosen the new place, I still have to equip it with vital items so that the soldiers can carry out their tasks and function professionally,” said Andika.
This, however, contradicts the wishes of Papuan civil society and NGOs, who have long asked the TNI to stop building military posts and sending troops. According to the people, the TNI should immediately withdraw its troops and stop armed violence in Papua. (*)
Editor: Edi Faisol
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