Vocational schools display products

JAKARTA (JP): A four-day display of products made by vocational school students was opened yesterday at the Kemayoran Fairground in Central Jakarta.

Students from nearly 100 schools displayed minivan engines, mechanical tools, handicrafts, cakes and other products.

Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro, who opened the event, said the aim of the display is to encourage cooperation between schools and business circles.

Participants included technical schools, economic schools and tourism schools.

"Cooperation is necessary to help develop product design and marketing.

"Teachers and principals from these vocational schools should not hesitate to contact business people for the sake of both parties," he said.

He acknowledged that few schools have cooperated with either private or state companies.

He added that efforts have been made to adjust the schools' curricula with the needs of the business community.

The ministry's director for vocational schools, Jorlin Pakpahan, said the ministry has trained 1,000 teachers how to manage programs that will build student skills and enhance the quality of their products. (kod)