In 2022, some 40 Vocational (High Schools) in East Nusa Tenggara will be developed as centers of excellence to produce an adequate workforceKupang, East Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA) - The East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Government will establish 40 Vocational High Schools (SMK) as centers of excellence to serve as innovative sources to help workers hone skills in various aspects.
"In 2022, some 40 Vocational (High Schools) in East Nusa Tenggara will be developed as centers of excellence to produce an adequate workforce," Governor Viktor Bungtilu Laiskodat stated in connection with the provincial government's efforts to develop the education sector here on Tuesday.
Laiskodat said that in 2021, the East Nusa Tenggara Government had established 12 Vocational High Schools as centers of excellence that were successful in pursuing aspects of expertise. In 2022, they expedited the figure to 40 vocational schools.
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According to the governor, the provincial government was preparing schools of excellence as a quality development model with national and international standards.
He explained that these schools were encouraged to set an example for other schools in developing various existing potentials and utilizing local natural resources in maritime, arts, tourism, and creative industries through improvement in the levels of competence.
He added that the provincial government continued to conduct management of vocational education, so that it became a source of innovation to produce skilled workers.
The provincial, district, and city governments pursued improvements in access to and quality of every level of education for children of East Nusa Tenggara, he noted.
He pointed to an increase in the gross enrollment rate and net enrollment rate in 2021. The middle school level was at around 70 percent and high school level at 54 percent. On the other hand, the elementary school level decreased to 96 percent.
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Meanwhile, in the same year, as many as 30 high schools, 19 vocational schools, and three special schools were granted school operational permits.
The quality of education was gauged from the level of school accreditation that had recorded an improvement. In 2021, 96 schools were accredited A, while 230 schools were accredited B, and 185 schools were accredited C.
"The government continues to make various efforts to improve the quality of education in this province by preparing adequate infrastructure and teacher resources to support the quality of education in East Nusa Tenggara," he concluded.
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Translator: Benediktus SSJ, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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