The ADEM program provides opportunities for students from Papua and 3T regions to continue their secondary education at quality schools in Java and Bali. More than 6,800 students to date have completed their secondary education through this program since it was launched in 2013.

This year, 443 Papua students of the 2021 ADEM class completed their education at various secondary schools, including vocational schools, in West Java, Banten, Central Java, Yogyakarta, East Java and Bali.

The Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology  Nadiem Anwar Makarim praised students for their courage to leave their comfort zones to take advantage of the ADEM program in studying outside their home regions.

"Indonesia needs all of you to become future leaders. Don't miss out on this opportunity. Keep learning and striving to achieve your dreams with the spirit of Merdeka Belajar," Nadiem said at the recent ADEM Homecoming for Papuan Students in Jakarta, referring to his ministry’s flagship Independent Learning program.

The ministry’s Secretary-General Suharti echoed the minister’s message, encouraging Papuan ADEM graduates to inspire and motivate their families, friends and communities by showing them that education was accessible to all citizens. She also encouraged the graduates to pursue higher education.

"Show your achievements wherever you are. The government also provides scholarships through ADik and other programs like KIP Kuliah, and those with outstanding achievements can even pursue studies abroad," Suharti said.

The program provides students from Papua and 3T regions the opportunity to learn at schools with better facilities and higher quality education, as well as to live in a diverse sociocultural environment. ADEM graduates are expected to return to their home regions to be agents of change, equipped with knowledge, skills and life experiences, and contribute to the development of their communities.

Higher education

The ADik program complements the ADEM program by offering opportunities for students from Papua and 3T regions to pursue higher education.

In 2023, ADik awarded scholarships to more than 7,614 students from Papua and 3T regions, including 1,321 ADEM graduates.

Minister Nadiem encouraged ADEM graduates to use their three years of learning at schools in Bali and Java to prepare for university.

"Today, students have far greater opportunities to develop their potential by studying outside campuses," he said.

Nadiem explained that for the past three years, the education ministry had encouraged students to participate in programs under the Kampus Merdeka [Independent Campus] umbrella initiative, such as the Certified Internship and Independent Study Program (MSIB), as well as social projects, entrepreneurship programs and national and international student exchanges.

To date, more than 470,000 students have participated in various Kampus Merdeka programs, including over 1,500 students from universities in Papua and West Papua.

"I’ve personally heard the experiences of students who participated in Kampus Merdeka. They had the opportunity to go into the field and learn things that are not taught in the classroom. This is a valuable experience that will greatly benefit their futures," Nadiem said.

The ADik scholarship program provides access to higher education at public and private universities across the country by fully covering tuition fees and disbursing a living allowance, making it easier for students from disadvantaged areas to access quality higher education. ADik scholarship recipients come from various backgrounds and include persons with disabilities, children of migrant workers and outstanding athletes.

In addition to providing educational access, the ADEM and ADik programs also enrich students’ life experiences by exposing them to diverse environments. The program requires Papuan students to attend universities outside Papua, while those from 3T regions, repatriated students and students with disabilities can attend any university in any region, except Papua.

Many students who were initially anxious about the challenges of living outside their home regions, especially with respect to social and cultural differences, have grown into more confident and independent individuals after participating in these programs.

For example, several Papuan students have achieved academic and nonacademic success during their studies under the ADEM program. Novita Mansoben, a student from Papua’s Supiori regency won second place in athletics at the 2023 National Student Sports Olympiad (O2SN). Novita’s achievement, as well as that of her ADEM peers, demonstrates that with the right support, students from remote areas can compete and excel at the national level.

Government commitment

The ADEM and ADik programs are part of the government's efforts to achieve equitable access to education nationwide. The government recognizes that not all students in the country have equal access to quality education. These affirmation programs therefore aim to give students from Papua and 3T regions the same opportunities to study at the country’s best schools and universities.

Minister Nadiem reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the continuity of the ADEM and ADik programs.

"We want to ensure that all Indonesian children, especially those from Papua and 3T regions, have equal opportunity to receive quality education. Education is a key element in creating a better future, for both individuals and their home regions," he said.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology had introduced many other initiatives, including the Education Endowment Fund (LPDP), the Indonesia Maju (Onward Indonesia) Scholarship and KIP Kuliah, to encourage students to pursue higher education at quality universities.

"Through these programs, we strive to ensure that no child is left behind due to limited [educational] access or financial constraints," the minister said.