Helping the Young Generation in Banti
04 January 2020
TIMIKA – Dozens of children from Banti Village, Mimika and surrounding areas are back in school thanks to a partnership between the Tembagapura Police, PT Freeport Indonesia’s Community Liaison Office working together with PT Harmoni Sinergi.
In 2019, the Education Ministry rebuilt the school in Banti Village after the previous primary school and middle school, constructed by PT Freeport Indonesia, was demolished in a fire in February 2018. But, the teachers have not returned, and children have not been attending school because the Mimika Basic Education and Cultural Office has yet to reactivate classes.
"About four months ago, we took the initiative to use the new school facility for tutoring and coaching to ensure the children have some education in the interim. At first, only a couple of children attended the sessions. Now at least 80 children are back in the classroom,” Tembagapura Police Chief Adjunct Commissioner Hermanto said recently.
The students come from Kampung Banti 1, Banti 2, Kimbeli and Opitawak, Hermanto added, and tutoring covers subjects usually taught in school. Sessions are held at Banti State Elementary School on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Before using the school building, tutoring sessions were held outdoors on the school grounds.
The Banti area and vicinity remains under tight security provided by about 60 Mobile Brigade personnel under the Aman Nusa Security Task Force as the area is still considered vulnerable to threats after a riot broke out there from an armed separatist group in 2018.
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