Jayapura, Jubi – General Secretary of the Papua Teaching Movement (Gerakan Papua Mengajar/GPM) Orgenes Ukayo said GPM has extended their literacy program to Tenedagi Village, Tigi Barat Sub-district, Deiyai Regency. GPM is a non-profit organisation who run a literacy campaign and provide literacy programs for children in Papua’s remote areas.
According to Ukago, GPM has established the “Kebada” learning group in Tenedagi Village. “Kebada means ‘be opened’. It means everyone can participate in learning and teaching (in this group) to eliminate illiteracy in the Meepago customary area,” said Ukago by phone on Sunday (12/7/2020).
Further, he said the GPM’s volunteers come in the afternoon to teach the first and second-grade pupils. Earlier, GPM established the “Ayago” learning group in Tuguai Village, Paniai regency. “We also run the same program in Waghete Kota Sub-district and adjust the learning schedule with children activities,” he said.
Moreover, he added that the learning groups aim to eliminate illiteracy in the Meepago customary area. “It aims to reduce the drop-out rate among children and to assist children in obtaining a decent education. We believe that they can be as intelligent and advanced as anybody else. The problem is we are indifferent to teaching the young Papuans,” he said.
Therefore, Ukago said GPM has campaigned and developed the literacy program for children in Papua’s remote areas. “We develop this program for not just helping children on how to read and write but also how to count and deal with digital literacy,” he said.
In the meantime, GPM Chairman Agustinus Kadepa said the organisation was established to provide primary education for indigenous children of Papua. “We extend our program to remote villages so that children in remote areas are not left behind and able to reach their dream,” he said. (*)
Reporter: Hengky Yeimo
Editor: Pipit Maizier
