The 2022 SMK PK SPD has garnered support from 349 industries, with the total investment commitment from the industry amounting to Rp439.25 billion. This investment has been allocated for 373 vocational schools, or an average of around Rp1.18 billionJakarta (ANTARA) - The Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Ministry will conduct the Center of Excellence Vocational High School Support Matching Scheme (SMK PK SPD) again in 2023.
"There are many benefits, starting from a curriculum that is even more aligned with industry, (development of) product-oriented ‘teaching factory,’ more and more certified teachers, and so on," director general of vocational education at the ministry, Kiki Yuliati, said here on Wednesday.
In 2022, the program has garnered support from the industry, as evidenced by the high interest shown by industry players in getting involved in the support matching scheme.
"The 2022 SMK PK SPD has garnered support from 349 industries, with the total investment commitment from the industry amounting to Rp439.25 billion. This investment has been allocated for 373 vocational schools, or an average of around Rp1.18 billion per school," she informed.
The industry commitment has included Rp173 billion for strengthening learning facilities and infrastructure, Rp59 billion for improving work practices, Rp53 billion for teacher training and certification, Rp52 billion for the development of ‘teaching factories,’ Rp30.3 billion for teaching practitioners (guest teachers), Rp16 billion for curriculum alignment, and Rp56.23 billion for other assistance.
The PK SPD SMK program is a mechanism for the development of SMK Centers of Excellence based on partnerships and alignment with participation from the business and industry sectors, supported by funding from the state budget and the sectors' investment.
The ministry will match the investment received from the industry one by one, with the maximum government funding ceiling set at Rp3 billion.
"Through the PK SPD SMK program, it is expected that a more measurable partnership will be established between business and industrial sector and vocational school," she explained.
Meanwhile, acting secretary of the directorate general of vocational education, Saryadi, said that 824 industries and consortiums had proposed SPD cooperation. However, after curation, only 349 industries were deemed eligible to become partners.
"This is a very positive signal and a very good response from the business and industrial sector. Because actually this is a great partnership that will have an impact not only on vocational schools but also on the industry," he added.
The immense support from the industry also reflects the enthusiasm for and expectations from vocational education in Indonesia, including the awareness that education is not only the responsibility of the government, but also the community, especially the industry sector .
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Registrations for the 2023 program opened on November 17, 2022, and will end in January 2023.
“The Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Ministry is targeting that next year, there will be at least 250 eligible vocational schools to take part in matching in 2023," Saryadi said.
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According to the director of vocational schools, Wardani Sugiyanto, for the 2023 matching scheme program, the government will also involve small industries in the regions, including micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
He said that his administration has prepared a support scheme that will allow small and medium enterprises to get involved in the program and set the minimum investment value for one vocational school at Rp200 million.
"We want vocational schools to be able to drive the regional economy by inviting regional industries and MSMEs in the regions to be more involved," he added.
He further said he expects the industry to collaborate again in the upcoming 2023 iteration.
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Translator: Indriani, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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