High Demand Prompts MAN 1 Pidie in Aceh to Open Specialised Civil Service Prep Classes

High interest among students and parents in entering state service academies has prompted Madrasah Aliyah Negeri (MAN) 1 Pidie in Aceh Province to open a special preparatory class. The school initially planned to form just one study group with a capacity of 20 to 25 participants, but the number of qualified applicants far exceeded expectations, forcing the institution to open two full classes.

Head of MAN 1 Pidie, Muhammad Thaifuri, stated that the surge in enthusiasm is driven by the wide range of state colleges available, both with and without official bond status, including STMKG, STPDN, STIN, STIS, PKN STAN, STPN, STP, and various Poltekkes. However, he noted a gap in the secondary education curriculum that does not specifically prepare students for the stringent selection processes of these institutions.

“The original plan was just one class. Because the number of interested students who passed the selection was overwhelming, we had to accommodate them in Kedinasan Class 01 with 27 students and Kedinasan Class 02 with 28 students,” Thaifuri said on Friday.

The programme is designed as a specialised extracurricular activity held outside regular school hours, ensuring the standard Madrasah Aliyah curriculum remains unaffected. It focuses on character development and strengthening academic abilities relevant to the entrance exams. While students follow the general curriculum and orientation period at the start of the semester, the intensity of the preparatory programme will gradually increase, emphasising discipline, proactivity, productivity, and vocational academic skills.

Thaifuri expressed hope that the programme will produce a generation ready to face global challenges, who are communicative, intelligent, and possess noble character. He also thanked parents for their trust in this new educational innovation.