Author: Ali Nur Ichsan
All learning materials, including for PAUD, are available through the Rumah Pendidikan application, which schools can download via Papua Interaktif Digital.
Manokwari (ANTARA) – The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) has provided 75-inch digital interactive boards for all PAUD (early childhood education centers) in Manokwari Regency, West Papua, to support early childhood learning.
Deputy Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Fajar Riza Ul Haq, in Manokwari on Tuesday, said the assistance aims to strengthen digitalization in PAUD education, in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s vision that all Indonesian children should have equal and enjoyable learning opportunities wherever they live.
“All learning materials, including those for PAUD, are available through the Rumah Pendidikan application, which educational units can download via Papua Interaktif Digital,” Fajar said.
However, he emphasized that the use of technology at the PAUD level must be balanced with teaching approaches that continue to place play and social interaction as the foundation for stimulating children’s development.
Although digital interactive boards make it easier for teachers to guide children’s learning, technology must not become the only method. PAUD children should be frequently encouraged to go outside the classroom, play, and experience nature directly.
PAUD teachers must continue to strengthen play-based learning, including traditional games that are part of cultural values.
According to him, PAUD-age children do not need to be pressured to read and write; the main priority is stimulating emotional intelligence and social intelligence.
Cultural diversity and tolerance must be introduced early, as they shape children’s emotional and social intelligence, which ultimately affects their cognitive or intellectual growth.
“When emotional and social intelligence develop, intellectual growth follows. Children learn from their environment, and Papua is very rich in that regard,” he said.
He also asked teachers to take good care of the provided facilities so they can be used optimally to support a creative, enjoyable learning process aligned with children’s development.
The digital equipment is only given to PAUD centers registered in the Data Pokok Pendidikan (Dapodik) system.
Based on Dapodik data, Manokwari has 163 PAUD schools, and the assistance will be distributed in stages.
Kemendikdasmen PAUD Director Nia Nurhasanah explained that so far 31,009 digital interactive boards have been distributed out of a total 64,191 recipient PAUD units across 36 provinces in Indonesia.
The program is expected to accelerate digital learning transformation and ensure that all Indonesian children receive an equal and enjoyable learning experience.