Jayapura, Jubi – Early Childhood Education (PAUD) is considered the cornerstone of human capital development in Central Papua, as experiences during a child’s formative years have a lasting impact on learning ability, health, character, and future productivity.
The statement was delivered by Acting Head of the Special Education Division at the Central Papua Education Office, Fredi Edowai, during the opening of the 2026 Quality Early Childhood Education Workshop for members of the Bunda PAUD Working Groups across Central Papua on Tuesday (7/7/2026).
The three-day workshop, held from July 7 to 9, was organized by the Central Papua Bunda PAUD Working Group at the Provincial Education Office in the former Nabire Airport area, Nabire Regency.
Edowai said the best investment any government can make is ensuring that every child has access to quality, safe, and engaging early childhood education.
He explained that the Bunda PAUD Working Group plays a strategic role in connecting schools, healthcare providers, communities, businesses, and parents to improve services for young children.
At the same time, he acknowledged the significant challenges facing Central Papua, including its difficult geography, limited access to services, and persistently high rates of stunting.
“Strengthening Holistic Integrative Early Childhood Education—which combines education, healthcare, nutrition, parenting support, and child protection—is essential to ensuring children’s optimal growth and development,” Edowai said.
Throughout the workshop, participants are expected not only to expand their knowledge but also to develop practical guidelines for improving the quality of early childhood education services in their respective regions.
The workshop is expected to help align district and provincial government programs while strengthening the capacity of Bunda PAUD Working Groups to carry out their responsibilities.
Participants are also encouraged to actively exchange ideas, share experiences, and learn from successful initiatives implemented in other districts.
“Each region faces different challenges, but each also has innovations that can inspire others,” he said.
Edowai expressed appreciation to the facilitators, speakers, and all parties supporting the event. He stressed that efforts to build a highly capable future generation must begin in early childhood, as children who receive quality care and education today will become Central Papua’s leaders tomorrow.
He said the workshop is expected to produce recommendations that can be implemented throughout the province, helping expand equitable, high-quality, and sustainable early childhood education services for all children in Central Papua. (*)
