Nabire (ANTARA) - The Central Papua Provincial Government is\npreparing an Integrated Vocational Secondary School (SMK) programme as\nan effort to reduce unemployment, poverty and the number of\nout-of-school children (ATS) by strengthening skills-based vocational\neducation and community economic empowerment.<\/p>\n
Yulianus Kuayo, Head of the Data Division at the Central Papua\nEducation and Culture Office, said in Nabire on Tuesday that the concept\nemerged from mapping the various social problems still facing Central\nPapua, such as high unemployment, poverty, school dropouts, and a rise\nin assorted social issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the context of Papua today, the Integrated SMK is one of the\nmost appropriate solutions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
According to him, SMK schools have so far only been accessible to\ngraduates of formal junior secondary schools, meaning that poor\ncitizens, out-of-school children and unemployed people of productive age\nhave not yet had the opportunity to undertake vocational education.<\/p>\n
For this reason, he said, the Integrated SMK concept combines three\neducational pathways under a single management structure: regular SMK\nfor school-age learners, Community Learning Activity Centres (PKBM) for\ncitizens without formal qualifications through the Paket A, B and C\nprogrammes, and Course and Training Institutions (LKP) for school or\nuniversity graduates who need workplace skills.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe teachers can be the same people, but they carry out functions\nacross all three pathways. Learning for PKBM and LKP participants also\nrelies more heavily on a practical skills approach,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He said the approach is expected to broaden access to education\nwhilst also improving the competence of people of productive age, so\nthey are better prepared to enter the workforce or build independent\nbusinesses.<\/p>\n
As an initial stage, the Central Papua Provincial Government has\ndesignated four private church foundation-based SMKs as pilot projects\nin three regencies.<\/p>\n
In Nabire Regency, SMKS YPPK St.\u00a0Joseph Calasanz Wanggar is being\ndeveloped as a livestock feed production centre, whilst SMKS YPK\nDr.\u00a0Nomansen Kalibobo is focused on clean water processing and renewable\nenergy.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, SMKS YPPGI Jehezkiel Dumapa Idakebo in Dogiyai Regency is\nbeing directed to develop horticultural farming and laying hen\nhusbandry, whilst SMKS YPPK Santo Yohanes Pembabtis Gaiyabi in Deiyai\nRegency is being developed for pig farming, both breeding and\nfattening.<\/p>\n
He explained that church foundation-based schools were chosen because\nof their closeness to the community, making them considered more\neffective in developing empowerment programmes.<\/p>\n
The government has now entered the stage of strengthening school\ngovernance and management, having previously completed a feasibility\nstudy.<\/p>\n
Next year the programme will continue with the fulfilment of\nfacilities and infrastructure standards, improvement of teacher\ncompetence, and refinement of the curriculum.<\/p>\n
According to Yulianus, the Integrated SMK is an implementation of the\nCentral Papua Governor\u2019s priority programme to build community-based\nCommunity Colleges to strengthen the local economy and improve the\nquality of human resources.<\/p>\n
He hopes the model can serve as an example of vocational education\ndevelopment capable of reducing unemployment and poverty, and be\nreplicated in other regencies across Central Papua once the four pilot\nschools are declared self-sufficient.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/central-papua-prepares-integrated-vocational-school-programme-to-curb-unemployment-1785236166", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }