Improving Education Policy Across Study Fields in Maluku Barat Daya (Southwest Maluku Regency) A Policy Brief for the 2026 Planning Horizon

Maluku Barat Daya (MBD) is an officially designated 3T (frontier, outermost, underdeveloped) regency whose Human Development Index of approximately 64.5–65.2 (2024) trails both Maluku province (~68.0) and the national average (~71.4), reflecting persistent gaps in schooling access, teacher quality, and vocational alignment. Mean years of schooling of roughly 7.8–8.1 signals that most residents complete junior secondary but fall short of senior secondary — a structural ceiling with immediate economic consequences. The imminent development trajectory of the Masela Block / Abadi LNG project in the neighboring Tanimbar Islands regency (with environmental approval expected ~February 2026 and FID targeted ~2027) creates a closing window: MBD’s proximity means its workforce could participate in supply-chain and maritime-support roles, but only if vocational and technical human capital is built now. National policy instruments — DAK education, SM-3T teacher deployment, Merdeka Belajar, ADik affirmative university access, and mandated TKDN/local-content obligations from INPEX, Pertamina Hulu Energi, and Petronas — together constitute a credible financing and delivery framework. This brief maps the education gap across study fields, identifies root causes, and offers sequenced, concrete recommendations for decision-makers at the regency, provincial, and national levels. Acting before FID (~2027) is essential; waiting until first gas (~early 2030s) will be too late.