Availability of Productive Teachers is Prioritized

Kompas, page 11, Saturday, May 20

The availability of vocational school or SMK productive teachers continues to be the government’s focus on revitalizing vocational secondary education. Therefore, this year’s teacher professional education scholarships are provided to improve the quality of productive teachers in SMK. The Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikbud) in collaboration with the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education (Kemenristek Dikti) opened the Professional Teacher Education Program in Subsidized Positions. This program is funding 2,500 teachers to become professional productive teachers in 10 areas of expertise in SMK.

Director General of Teachers and Education Personnel, Sumarna Surapranata said that Teacher Professional Education (PPG) in Subsidized Positions is prioritized to meet productive teachers’ needs in four leading sectors, namely agriculture, marine, tourism and industry. This program is undertaken by SMK productive teachers for four months in Teaching Personnel Educator Institutes (LPTK) appointed by Kemristek Dikti.

Teachers who obtain PPG scholarships in Subsidized Positions could be temporary teachers or permanent teachers from state and private schools who have been teaching for five years.  Kemdikbud provides educational scholarships worth Rp 7.5 million (for four months).

Meanwhile, Director of Learning Directorate General of Learning and Student Affairs of Kemristek Dikti, Paristyanti Nuwardani said that teachers who participated in PPG in the Subsidized Position attend 16 lecture classes. This can be done because the experiences of teachers are calculated through past learning recognition. Lectures are distributed in 34 appointed and qualified LPTKs.  The LPTKs are prepared to serve PPG in the Subsidized Position and Regular PPG for Prospective Teachers.