Enviro News Asia, Central Bangka – A 32-hectare former production forest area is set to be developed into Garuda Premier High School in the Bangka Belitung Islands. Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Stella Christie, stated that the premier high school initiative is part of President Prabowo Subianto’s program to ensure equitable access to quality education in various regions.
“One of the chosen locations is the Bangka Belitung Islands Province, as it has been identified as having great potential,” said Stella during her visit to Central Bangka on Sunday, February 9, 2025. The local government has proposed five potential sites for the construction of Garuda Premier High School, one of which is in Perlang Village, Central Bangka Regency, covering 32 hectares of former production forest land. “Now, we are just waiting for the construction process to begin,?Stella added.
The Regional Secretary of Bangka Belitung, Fery Afriyanto, explained that the site in Perlang Village is a production forest area suitable for building a premier high school. Although it is located far from the provincial capital, this is not an issue since Garuda Premier High School will operate as a boarding school.
Acting Head of the Bangka Belitung Environment and Forestry Office, Edy K, mentioned that the proposed 32-hectare land was previously managed under an Industrial Plantation Forest business permit by PT Bangkanesia. “If this location is chosen for Garuda Premier High School, we will utilize the forest area under a special-purpose scheme, such as for education, forestry, or conservation,” Edy stated.
Bangka Belitung is one of four regions selected for the establishment of Garuda Premier High School. The initiative was originally proposed by Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, who is now the President of Indonesia, and the project continues under his leadership. Other regions selected for the first phase of construction in 2025 include East Nusa Tenggara, Gorontalo, and the new capital city, Nusantara, in East Kalimantan.
Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni, along with Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Prof. Stella Christie, recently inspected a site designated for Garuda Premier High School in South Central Timor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, on Monday, January 13, 2025. The location is approximately 110 kilometers from Kupang, specifically in Binaus Village, Mollo Tengah District, South Central Timor Regency.
