Central Papua – In an effort to improve the literacy and English language skills of students in elementary and junior high schools, the Central Papua Provincial Education and Culture Office, in collaboration with the Mutiara Hitam Papua Foundation, will implement an English language course program in several schools in Timika and Paniai districts. The program is scheduled to begin in November 2025 and will last for one month, or approximately 30 days, with classes held directly at local schools.

The English language course program will be managed by the Mutiara Hitam Foundation, which has been appointed by the Central Papua Province Education and Culture Office as the organizing partner. Prior to the start of the course, the Mutiara Hitam Foundation will hold a teacher training session from November 13 to 16, 2025. This training aims to prepare English teachers who will assist students in the course activities.

During the training, teachers involved in this program will be provided with guidance by facilitators from the Mutiara Hitam Foundation. This training covers various effective teaching techniques and methods, as well as how to better manage classrooms to support the English language learning process for students.

During this teacher training activity, the Director of the Mutiara Hitam Papua Foundation, Fred Bundah, who came directly from Adelaide, Australia, gave a speech and expressed his support for this program.

Fred Bundah conveyed the importance of improving the quality of English language teaching in Papua as part of efforts to realize better education for the younger generation in the region. The Central Papua Province Education and Culture Office expects support from schools, which includes providing time and space for the implementation of course activities in their respective schools.

In addition, schools are also asked to provide assistant teachers, both English teachers and other teachers who can help coordinate the implementation of this program.

Schools are also asked to encourage students to actively participate in this activity in order to maximize the benefits that can be obtained from the English course program.

This course program also involves several schools that will participate in this program, including:

  • Head of SMPN Satu Atap Poumako
  • Principal of SMP AB Tinal Kwamki Baru Mimika
  • SD YPPK Muare Mapurujaya
  • SD YPPK Hiripau
  • SD YPPK Utikini

With support from various parties, it is hoped that this program can make a significant contribution to improving the English language skills of students in Timika and Paniai Regencies.