1,147 UPI Students Ready to Teach in Hundreds of West Java Schools
The West Java Provincial Government, together with the Indonesian University of Education (UPI), has dispatched 1,147 students to take part in the Educational Professional Strengthening Programme (Probidik) Gema Jabar. Through the programme, the students will undertake six months of teaching practice, equivalent to 20 credit units, at 364 senior high schools (SMA), vocational schools (SMK) and special needs schools (SLB) across various parts of West Java.
In detail, the students will be placed at 230 SMAs, 116 SMKs and 18 SLBs. Throughout their assignments, they will be supervised by UPI academic supervisors as well as mentor teachers from each school.
The Probidik Gema Jabar programme is designed to help address the shortage of teaching staff in West Java. West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi has expressed his support for the collaborative programme between the provincial government and UPI.
According to Dedi, the programme is an opportunity for students not only to apply the knowledge gained at university, but also to gain direct teaching experience, particularly at schools in rural areas.
“This is an opportunity for you, students, for six months to pursue the learning programme whilst learning directly. Because when teaching, it is not only academic expertise that is practised, but it also cultivates a sense of empathy when teaching one’s pupils,” said Dedi Mulyadi in a written statement on Monday (20 July 2026).
Dedi also encouraged the students to get to know West Java in its entirety, not just the urban areas.
“You must get to know West Java, not just the city of Bandung. West Java is vast, so you should understand that those who need to be educated also live in villages and rural communities,” he asserted.
The man affectionately known as KDM urged the students who will become teachers not to hesitate to return to serve at the schools where they once taught, including if they are assigned to remote areas.
One programme participant, Andika Darmawan from UPI’s Mechanical Engineering Education study programme, said he was enthusiastic about joining Probidik Gema Jabar as it aligns with his ambition to become a teacher.
“The programme is excellent for us and very helpful. Moreover, many teachers will retire in the future, and I am ready to take their place,” he said.
A similar view was expressed by UPI student Regina, who expressed hope that the programme would run smoothly and serve as valuable preparation before she enters the teaching profession.
“I hope the activities go well and smoothly. This is certainly very helpful for education programmes in West Java,” said the student, who has been assigned to SMK 28 Bandung.
Meanwhile, the Head of the West Java Education Office, Purwanto, said Probidik Gema Jabar is a manifestation of UPI’s and the West Java Provincial Government’s commitment to establishing a university that delivers real impact for society.
He expressed hope that the programme can help create a more optimal teaching and learning process, fulfil pupils’ right to education, and provide students with the opportunity to put into practice the knowledge they have acquired on campus.