Nabire, May 7, 2025 – To improve the quality of education and open more opportunities for the children of Central Papua, the Mutiara Hitam Papua Foundation, together with representatives from the Black Pearl Network Australia, Mr. Ross Gobby, held a meeting with the governor and secretary of the Central Papua Province. The meeting discussed the development of an English language program focused on intermediate and advanced levels, as well as facilitating more affordable and accessible IELTS and TOEFL tests for children in the region.

As part of the commitment to improving English proficiency in Central Papua, the program aims to provide broader access to quality English education for children in the region. It is expected that this program will serve to equip the youth of Central Papua with the global competencies they need to face future challenges.

“We believe that mastering English is one of the keys to opening doors of opportunity in the global world. With this program, we want the children of Central Papua to have the same chance to learn English and take international tests like IELTS and TOEFL at more affordable prices,” said Mr. Ross Gobby, a representative of Black Pearl Network Australia.

According to him, the development of this program is not just about teaching English, but also about creating greater accessibility to international standardized tests, which have often been considered difficult to reach for many children in Papua. With support from the local government and international organizations like Black Pearl Network Australia, it is hoped that the children of Central Papua can develop their potential at a global level.

The governor of Central Papua Province, during the meeting, welcomed this initiative and expressed his commitment to supporting the program. “We fully support any efforts that can improve the quality of education in Central Papua, especially those that can open global access for our children. This program aligns with our vision to build a smarter and more competitive Central Papua,” said the Governor of Central Papua.

Additionally, the Secretary of Central Papua Province emphasized the importance of collaboration between government agencies, foundations, and international organizations in realizing this program. “We believe that through this cross-sector collaboration, we can create more opportunities for the children of Central Papua to compete on a global level,” said the Secretary of Central Papua Province.

This program also includes training for English teachers in Central Papua so they can provide instruction that meets international standards. It is hoped that this program will not only directly benefit students but also help teachers continue to develop their competencies.

We will launch the program with a trial run at several schools in Central Papua as an initial step. Furthermore, IELTS and TOEFL tests will be facilitated at more affordable prices, allowing the children of Central Papua to benefit from English proficiency to improve their opportunities in global education and employment.

With full support from both the government and international organizations, it is hoped that this program can become a model for other regions in Papua and beyond to enhance education quality, open international access, and prepare the children of Papua with competitive skills for a better future.