West Java Government Strengthens Education Quality Through Probidik Gema Jabar
The West Java Provincial Government is intensifying efforts to improve education quality through the Professional Strengthening in Education (Probidik) Gema Jabar programme. This initiative, a collaboration with the Indonesia University of Education (UPI), aims to bolster the competence of prospective teachers while helping to address the shortage of teaching staff in various schools across West Java.
Head of the West Java Education Office, Purwanto, stated that the programme reflects the commitment of UPI and the provincial government to creating a university that has a tangible impact on society. Through Probidik Gema Jabar, 1,147 UPI students have been deployed to undergo teaching practice at 364 educational units, comprising 230 senior high schools, 116 vocational high schools, and 18 special needs schools, for a period of six months, equivalent to 20 credit hours.
During their assignments, the students will be mentored by UPI lecturers and supervising teachers at each school. Purwanto expressed hope that the programme would support the teaching and learning process in schools to run more optimally, while also serving as a platform for students to apply the knowledge they have acquired during their studies.
West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi welcomed the implementation of Probidik Gema Jabar. He said the programme provides an opportunity for students to hone their teaching skills while making a real contribution to the education sector, especially in rural areas.
‘This is an opportunity for you students over six months to engage in a learning programme while gaining direct experience. Because when teaching, it is not only academic expertise that is practised, but also cultivating a sense of care for your students,’ he said during the student send-off in Bandung on Monday, 13 July 2026.
Furthermore, Dedi Mulyadi reminded the students to develop a broader perspective on the West Java region. ‘You must know West Java beyond just the city of Bandung. West Java is vast, so you need to understand that those who need educating are also in rural areas and villages,’ he stressed.
One participant, Andika Darmawan, a Mechanical Engineering Education student at UPI, said he was very pleased to be part of the programme. ‘The programme is excellent for us, very helpful. Especially since many teachers will be retiring in the future, and I am ready to continue as their replacement,’ he said.
Another UPI student, Regina, who was assigned to SMK 28 Bandung, expressed hope that the programme would run smoothly and provide valuable experience before she embarks on a teaching career. ‘I hope the activities go well and smoothly. This is certainly very helpful for the education programme in West Java,’ she said.