Working with the North Biak Classis PAR Working Group, the foundation opened access to further-study information for Sunday school teachers from 29 congregations.

MANERU, NORTH BIAK — Yayasan Mutiara Hitam Papua held a briefing on English language courses and scholarship opportunities for Sunday school teachers representing 29 congregations of the North Biak Classis. The event, held at GKI Bethel Maneru Church on Sunday, 23 August 2026, was organised in cooperation with the Children and Youth Ministry Working Group (Pokja PAR) of the North Biak Classis.

The briefing ran for two hours, from 12.30 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. Eastern Indonesia Time (WIT), and covered two main agendas: an introduction to the foundation and its course programmes, and a session in which speakers shared their experience of scholarship selection. Alongside the Sunday school teachers, a number of parents and university students attended the full programme.

The chair of the North Biak Classis Pokja PAR, extended the invitation to Yayasan Mutiara Hitam Papua directly. The foundation’s presence, the chair said, was expected to open access to information for teachers and for young members of the congregations, particularly on improving English proficiency and on opportunities for further study.

Class Levels and Course Scholarships

The first session covered the history of the foundation and the programmes it currently runs. The presenter then turned to the technical details of the BPEC classes, including how class levels are divided, the payment mechanisms and schemes, and the scholarships available to prospective course participants.

The presentation drew a keen response from the floor. During the question-and-answer session, Sunday school teachers, parents and students asked about class level placement, learning schedules and methods, the foundation’s profile, and the requirements for obtaining a course scholarship.

Three Speakers Share Their Selection Experience

The second agenda featured three speakers who have been through a range of scholarship selection processes.

Barisen described applying for the Australia Awards Scholarship (AAS), the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP) and a Russian government scholarship — the last of which was successful. Persistence at every stage of testing and consistent study despite earlier setbacks, Barisen said, were what mattered most.

The second speaker, Harnal, recounted receiving a Papua Provincial Government Outstanding Student (Siswa Unggulan) scholarship to the United States. Harnal described daily life and study there, and underlined the part English proficiency plays in getting through each stage of selection.

Jerry, meanwhile, explained the APCEP programme and its registration requirements. Jerry also introduced the UEM Volunteer programme and several other opportunities, including short course schemes that participants from outlying regions can access.

Information to Reach 29 Congregations

The North Biak Classis Pokja PAR hopes the information on English courses and scholarships will be passed on by the teachers to children, young people and parents in the 29 congregations they represent. The event closed at 2.30 p.m. WIT.