The low level of education in Papua is still a major homework problem for the government. Many factors influence that. Mainly an economic problem. For example, just to receive an education in kindergarten (TK), the value can reach IDR 8 million per child. Not to mention the lack of educational facilities, and access that is not easy for them.
At least that is what Theresia Ngutra, a graduate of Pancasila University (UP) said, who admitted that she had been there for quite a long time. This condition made him concerned. Not wanting to be lost in sadness and just stand idly by, this woman who was born in Maluku on December 28 1984 then independently founded an open school.
This social action was carried out when Theresia was still studying online at Pancasila University. “Honestly I am very proud. "Pancasila University is a university whose spirit of nationalism is number one," he said, quoted on Thursday, May 23 2024.
Theresia admitted that there were many things that inspired her social activities in Papua. He had been there long enough. He even makes a living in Papua with a teaching background. This is also what moved Theresia's heart to help the world of education in Papua.
"I see that even though we are both easterners, Papua is different from Maluku regarding education. "This is the fact that made me feel called to create a school," he said. Theresia said her house was behind the Manokwari Regent's office. “So when I go to the office I see that the children are not in school. There is no fee for remote schooling. In my heart I said, what will their future be if they don't go to school?" Most of them, said Theresia, chose to help their parents in the garden rather than go to school. Because apart from being far away, the price is also unaffordable. “They say that registering for school is expensive. Kindergarten alone pays IDR 8 million. Yes, it's a shame that these children are of educational age. I asked my sister whether she wanted to go to school or not? Want to. "Finally I gathered them," he said when met after undergoing the graduate inauguration process at JCC Jakarta a few days ago.
Armed with minimal capital, Theresia then built a classroom with a tarpaulin and wooden roof. For him, the most important thing is that these children can gain educational knowledge. “I gathered almost a hundred of these children. I bought a tarpaulin, the poles are made of wood. "I'm not strong enough to talk about this," he said while wiping tears. “They have desires, they must have aspirations. So I give it free. I said, just wear whatever clothes you want to school, you can wear soccer clothes, you can wear t-shirts, the important thing is you go to school." As time went by, Theresia was determined to bring in several teaching staff to help educate the children. They were paid from Theresia's personal money. What's even more amazing is that the teachers who teach on average have degrees.
“Salary and school operations all come from my salary. So the teacher's salary comes from me." He said that when they were first established, the teachers only received an honorarium of around IDR 350 thousand. However, now they have been paid around IDR 1.5 million per person. “There were six people (teaching). If my salary is not enough, I also have extra effort. Yes, if it's not enough, sometimes I submit a proposal," he said. Ironically, Theresia's efforts to fight for education in Papua have not received the attention of the regional government (Pemda). “I asked the local government for help but there was no answer. "Even when I went here, the teacher's salary had not been paid," he said with tears in his eyes.
But that didn't deter him. Theresia believes that only through education will people's fate change and God has a way to overcome this problem. "I believe that only education can change and only through education can people prosper," he said with a smile. Theresia's struggle to help Papuan children was immediately responded to by the Chair of the Pancasila University Foundation, Dr Siswono Yudo Husodo, who happened to be sitting next to her.
Without much ado, the former PUPR Minister during the Suharto era promised to help Theresia. “Theresia, that's a foundation, right? I help. Call me later," said Siswono, making Theresia burst into tears of emotion. For your information, Theresia is a lecturer at Caritas Papua University and Papua Manokwari University. He is the founder and supervisor of the West Papua Cahaya Foundation. Apart from that, he is also the founder of Sowi Indah Manokwari Elementary School, and Sowi Indah Manokwari Kindergarten.
