Mamta/Tabi is a customary area in Papua that covers Jayapura city, Jayapura district, Keerom, Sarmi, and Memberamo Raya.
"The steps taken by the local government together with indigenous communities through the Papua Public Customary School align with the ministry's vision," an expert at the ministry's Curriculum and Learning Center, Taufiq Damarjati, observed here on Friday.
He said that one of the local languages there, the Sentani Language, is among the languages being prioritized for local language preservation and revitalization promoted by the government.
"Making education in line with culture and the Merdeka Belajar (Independent in Learning) Program Episode 17, we strive to preserve culture and language, especially in regions," he added.
He said the local language subject learning aligns with the ministry's program to revive local languages or mother tongues nationwide.
He noted that the number of speakers of local languages has been declining, so it is the government's serious concern to maintain local and first languages.
"This problem of declining speakers of local languages is not only happening in Sentani, but also in Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi," he said.
To tackle the problem, Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Minister Nadiem Makarim launched the local language revitalization program, he added.
Head of the Jayapura District Education and Teaching Office, Eqberth C. Kopeuw, said the class for learning local languages in all schools in the region must be made available.
"We do not have local language learning in kindergartens because the classes are for playing, but primary to secondary schools and vocational schools must have local language learning that is according to the customary areas in Jayapura," he added.
Translator: Yudhi E, Kenzu
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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