Presentation Schedule
Why Children Stay Home: Uncovering Demand-side Barriers to Early Childhood Education in Manokwari, West Papua (105355)
Session Chair: Hyunjae Choi
This presentation will be live-streamed via Zoom (Online Access)
Friday, 27 March 2026 12:00
Session: Session 1
Room: Live-Stream Room 3
Presentation Type: Live-Stream Presentation
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The Early Childhood Education (ECE) Gross Enrollment Rate of Manokwari District in West Papua Province shows among the lowest in Indonesia. Most of young children (74,73%) in this province do not attend ECE, although the government has extended the services. This study aims to identify demand-side challenges that influence parents' determination not to enlist their children in ECE. The research was a case study, managed by interviewing 2 parents who are not registered their ECE age children to ECE institution, 2 village heads, 4 heads of ECE institutions, and 1 head of the ECE sector at the Education Office to uncover ECE access in that area, as well as the reasons why many ECE-age children do not attend ECE. The results find a blend factor of geographical barriers such as long distances and limited road access, direct and indirect cost restraint, low knowledge of the benefits of ECE, and cultural preferences for home-based child-raise. These factors collectively influence parents' determination and interest in accessing ECE services. This study provides new evidence that access gaps in underdeveloped and remote areas like Manokwari can be shaped by demand-side factors. It emphasizes the need for policy interventions to: take into account local social, cultural, geographical, and economic conditions, including the development of community-based ECE; increased regional funding support; and to improve parents’ awareness for the importance of ECE. The results of this research can serve as a policy foundation to strengthen the equitable provision of ECE services in disadvantaged regions.
Authors:
Simon Sili Sabon, National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia
Yendri Wirda, National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia
Nur Listiawati, National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia
About the Presenter(s)
Simon Sili Sabon is a researcher at Education Research Center, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Organization, National Research and Innovation Agency.
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