Mimika Regency Government and PT Freeport Indonesia to Rebuild Waa Banti School, Demonstrating Commitment to Restoring Education in Papua

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Mimika, Central Papua — The Mimika Regency Government, in collaboration with PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI), has reaffirmed its commitment to rebuilding educational facilities in Waa Banti Village, Tembagapura District, which were destroyed in an arson attack attributed to an armed criminal group (KKB) in 2018. The initiative reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that children in Papua's mountainous communities continue to enjoy their right to education despite past security challenges.

The reconstruction project will include a Primary School and an integrated Junior Secondary School, which previously served as the main educational center for the local community. Local authorities emphasized that acts of violence should never interrupt children's access to education, and that the recovery effort will be carried out through close cooperation between government institutions, the private sector, and local communities.

Site Assessment Conducted Before Reconstruction Begins

As an initial step, representatives from the Mimika Regency Education Office, the Government Relations Division of PT Freeport Indonesia, and the Tembagapura District Administration conducted an on-site assessment of the former school location.

During the consultation process, several community leaders suggested that the new school should not be rebuilt at its previous location but instead be relocated to Opitawak Village or Banti 2. In response, the Tembagapura District Government plans to facilitate community discussions to determine the most appropriate location for the new educational facilities.

Officials stressed that the final decision will be made through dialogue with local residents to ensure that the project reflects community needs while strengthening local ownership of the new school.

Teachers to Be Deployed Before Construction Is Completed

In addition to rebuilding the school facilities, the Mimika Regency Education Office is prioritizing the deployment of teaching staff to Waa Banti.

The local government plans to assign at least five educators, including the principals of the kindergarten and primary school, before physical construction begins. This approach is intended to allow educational activities to resume as soon as possible rather than waiting for the completion of the new buildings.

Meanwhile, PT Freeport Indonesia has committed to renovating two teacher residences currently occupied by healthcare workers so that they can once again provide suitable accommodation for teachers assigned to serve in the area.

Government–Private Sector Partnership Supports Papua's Future

The collaboration between the Mimika Regency Government and PT Freeport Indonesia highlights the importance of partnerships between the public and private sectors in accelerating the restoration of essential public services in areas affected by security disruptions.

Rebuilding the school in Waa Banti is not only intended to replace damaged infrastructure but also to restore educational opportunities for Papuan children, enabling them to continue learning and preparing for a better future.

The initiative reflects broader efforts to create a more supportive environment for the development of Papua's younger generation through sustained investment in education.

Recognition for Security Personnel Supporting Educational Continuity

As part of the education recovery process, the Mimika Regency Education Office also expressed appreciation to the Tembagapura Sector Police (Polsek Tembagapura) for their continued assistance in facilitating learning activities for children in conflict-affected areas.

The support provided by local security personnel has been considered instrumental in helping educational activities continue while permanent school facilities remain under reconstruction. Cooperation among local government, security agencies, PT Freeport Indonesia, and community members is expected to further accelerate the recovery of the education sector in Papua's mountainous region.

Government Reaffirms Commitment to Building Papua Through Education

The planned reconstruction of the Waa Banti school reflects the Indonesian government's broader commitment to ensuring that development continues despite security challenges. By combining infrastructure development, the deployment of qualified teachers, community consultation, and private-sector participation, education remains a central pillar of Papua's long-term development strategy.

The government continues to implement programs aimed at improving education, healthcare, infrastructure, and community empowerment throughout Papua, with the objective of strengthening human capital and promoting inclusive, sustainable development.

The rebuilding of the Waa Banti school also symbolizes the determination to ensure that acts of violence do not hinder access to basic public services. Through collaboration among the central government, regional authorities, security institutions, PT Freeport Indonesia, customary leaders, and local communities, optimism continues to grow for a safer, more advanced, and more prosperous Papua.
Location: Australia

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