The Secondary Education Affirmation (ADEM) and Higher Education Affirmation (ADik) programmes, initiated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbudristek), have had a tremendous impact in expanding access to education in Papua and Indonesia’s underdeveloped, frontier and outermost (3T) regions. Since the programme was launched, thousands of students from remote areas have had the opportunity to receive education at secondary and tertiary education institutions across Indonesia.
One of the main objectives of the ADEM programme is to provide access to Papuan and 3T students to continue their secondary education in quality schools in Java and Bali. Based on official data, more than 6,800 students have successfully completed secondary education through this programme since it was first introduced in 2013. In 2024, a total of 443 students from Papua who are members of the ADEM 2021 batch successfully completed their education in various senior high schools (SMA) and vocational high schools (SMK) in the regions of West Java, Banten, Yogyakarta, Central Java, East Java, and Bali.
Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, Nadiem Anwar Makarim, during the ADEM students’ release ceremony in Jakarta some time ago, expressed his appreciation for the courage of the students who were willing to leave their hometowns to pursue education outside their area. “Indonesia needs all of you to become future leaders. Keep learning and achieve your goals with the spirit of Merdeka Belajar,” said Nadiem in his speech.
A similar message was also conveyed by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Suharti, who hopes that the graduates of the ADEM programme can be an inspiration to their environment. “Show that education is accessible to everyone, and you are the proof. The government has also provided ADik scholarships to continue your higher education, so keep achieving wherever you are,” said Suharti.
After completing secondary education through ADEM, students from Papua and the 3Ts also have great opportunities to continue their higher education through the Higher Education Affirmation (ADik) programme. By 2023, a total of 7,614 students from Papua and 3T regions have received ADik scholarships. This programme provides opportunities for ADEM graduates and other students from areas with limited access to continue their education to a higher level at public or private universities in Indonesia.
Nadiem Makarim emphasised the importance of the experience gained by the students during the ADEM programme as an asset in developing themselves in college. “The Kampus Merdeka programme provides more space for students to learn outside the classroom, such as internships, independent studies, and student exchanges both at home and abroad,” said Nadiem.
Through the Kampus Merdeka programme, students also have the opportunity to learn hands-on in the field and put into practice skills that are not acquired in the classroom. To date, more than 1,500 students from Papua and West Papua have been part of the Kampus Merdeka programme, an initiative aimed at preparing them for the world of work and becoming agents of change for their home regions.
The ADEM and ADik programmes are part of the government’s commitment to education equity across Indonesia. By expanding access to education for students from Papua and 3T areas, the programme opens the door for young people from these areas to get quality education. Along the way, the programme not only provides academic opportunities, but also enriches the students’ life experiences by introducing them to social and cultural environments that are different from their home regions.
Nadiem Makarim emphasised, “We want to ensure that all Indonesian children, especially those from Papua and 3T areas, get equal opportunities in education. Affirmation programmes like ADEM and ADik are important steps in achieving that goal.”
In addition, the government is also expanding scholarship support such as the Indonesia Maju Scholarship, KIP Kuliah, and LPDP, which enable outstanding students from Papua and 3T areas to continue their education to higher levels, even overseas.
https://nasional.tempo.co/read/1922191/pemerataan-pendidikan-papua-dan-3t-melalui-adem-adik
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