TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tempo Institute launched a book telling 20 inspirational stories of vocational education titled “Mendobrak Mitos: 20 Kisah Inspiratif Pendidikan Vokasi” at the National Library on Monday, June 26, 2023. Initiated by the Tempo Institute in tandem with the Ministry of Education, the book seeks to break down the stigma against vocational education which is often underestimated.

Qaris Tajudin, Director of Tempo Institute, said the book started from his discussions with vocational education activists who opened his eyes that many changes had taken place in vocational schools.

“Many innovations [in vocational education institutions] don't emerge in other schools,” Qaris said in the auditorium of the Indonesian National Library, Jakarta, Monday, June 26, 2023.

He cited an example, Batam Polytechnic led by Uuf Brajawidagda adopts a group study system.

“Students are collected in groups. Each group consists of not only [students] in the same class, but many classes; and from diverse study programs. So there are students from semester 1, semester 2 [in a group],” he said.

Qaris explained that in the learning activities, lecturers do not act as a provider of material, but rather a guide. “They present a project, but the lecturers don't explain it. They provide help when [students] encounter a problem.”

In this way, the learning process at Batam Polytechnic, which has 200 lecturers and thousands of students, can take place efficiently. “Teachers don't function as feeders of students. So, that's really changed. A revolution. It does not exist in universities,” Qaris said.

Nadiem Makarim, Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, stated that such an inspirational work needs to arise in the midst of crowded news about controversies, conflicts, and fights. “The reality of our country will not erupt and be uplifted [when there is no book like this],” he said.

He hoped that this inspirational story presented by Tempo Institute will change the people's skewed view of vocational education. Indonesia, Nadiem Makarim opined, has a deficit of inspiration yet a surplus of conflict and controversy.

TIKA AYU

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