Education stands as a fundamental right for all children across Indonesia, including those in West Papua. Every child inherently deserves an equal opportunity to access education, paving the way for their future success, irrespective of their social, economic, or geographical background, and crucially, including children with special needs (disabilities).

Consequently, the Provincial Government of Papua now introduces the Disability Service Unit (DSU), anticipating that this crucial service will offer a significant solution to ensure children with special needs receive a proper education. The ULD’s role proves vital in actively supporting individuals with disabilities in their pursuit of inclusive education throughout Papua Province.

Currently, Papua Province has only seven special needs schools, specifically State Special School, distributed across nine regencies/cities, catering to a total of 328 students. These seven State Special Schools include two in Jayapura City, three in Biak Numfor Regency, one in Serui Regency, and one State Special School in Waropen Regency.

Meanwhile, the count of civil servant teachers within these seven SLBNs reaches 80 in 2025. This year will see four teachers retire, reducing the number to 76. In addition, there are 24 honorary teachers.

Ideally, each regency and city should possess its own SLB. While the DSU currently operates at the provincial level in Papua, its absence at the regency/city level necessitates ongoing efforts to establish these essential services. This expansion aims to effectively accommodate children with special needs throughout Papua.

“The establishment of the DSU is crucial to guarantee that children in Papua Province receive a worthy education. With this in place, there will be no justification for any child to be out of school,” asserts the Head of the Education Office of Papua Province, Chistrian Sohilait.

This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to education in Papua Province, particularly focusing on inclusive education and ensuring access to education for all children, including those with disabilities. The development of the DSU represents a significant step towards fostering a more equitable and supportive educational landscape in Papua Province.