Deputy Minister: SMK Revitalisation Realises Quality Vocational Education

Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Wamendikdasmen) Atip Latipulhayat stated that the SMK Revitalisation programme is part of the government’s effort to provide quality, equitable, and fair education services. “SMK Revitalisation is not merely about constructing or repairing infrastructure, but is a comprehensive transformation, encompassing a paradigm shift, governance, learning processes, strengthening partnerships with the world of work, and improving the quality of graduates,” he said in a written statement in Jakarta on Friday. He noted that the programme aligns with the fourth Astacita of the President and Vice President, which positions the strengthening of human resources through education, science, and technology as the main foundation for national progress. According to him, vocational education has a strategic role in producing graduates who possess skills and are able to compete at regional and global levels. Therefore, adequate physical facility support is a crucial element in the delivery of quality vocational education. He explained that the Technical Guidance (Bimtek) for SMK Revitalisation aims to provide participants with a complete understanding of the programme, mechanisms, and provisions for implementing government assistance. Additionally, it strengthens schools’ capacity in technical planning and administrative management, as well as reinforcing accountability in the implementation and reporting of aid. Up to the ninth phase of implementation, his ministry recorded that 1,333 SMKs have participated in the 2026 SMK Revitalisation Technical Guidance, with 688 SMKs having signed cooperation agreements. The assistance, with a first-term fund disbursement reaching Rp656 billion, is spread across 34 provinces, with the highest number of recipients in Aceh Province at 94 SMKs.