Deni Tonjau, Wamena – Hundreds of high school students from the Papuan Highlands High School and University Student Alliance held a peaceful demonstration at the Papua governor's office on Friday May 2 to mark National Education Day (Hardiknas).
They came to the demonstration to reject the governments Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program in the region. The Alliance said that they do not need to be given nutritious food, which is a central government priority program, but have a greater need for complete school facilities, additional teachers in every school and free education.
"In accordance with the mandate of the Article 28c of the Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, which reads that every child should get a decent education, but in reality we high school and university Papuan students have never received an education, decent school facilities and [instead] teachers are lacking and school fees are expensive", said action coordinator Jekson Elopere.
Therefore, the protesters firmly declared a position of explicitly rejecting the MBG program, and firmly rejecting the placement of the TNI (Indonesian Military) and Polri (Indonesian Police) in each school or every educational level from kindergarten (TK), to education for children in their earl years (PAUD) and higher education.
"We also demand free education throughout the land of Papua from TK, to PAUD and higher education, the addition of complete school facilities and the addition of teachers in each school", Elopere explained
During the action the student alliance also reminded the government that they had previously held a protest action rejecting the MBG program some time ago, but still the program has continued until now.
"If the program is still carried out, students in the eight regencies of the Papua Highlands will hold a massive action and centre it in the Jayawijaya regency", said Elopere.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Aksi Demo Penolakan PMB Warnai Hardiknas di Wamena".]
