The Indonesian Express
Participants in the upcoming Teacher Professional Education (PPG) program will receive two new subjects. The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu'ti, stated that this addition aims to enhance the quality of teachers in Indonesia. He explained that the new PPG subjects are based on four essential teacher competencies that need to be developed together: personal competence, pedagogical competence, social competence, and professional competence. "So, those who join the Teacher Professional Education should not be surprised to find two extra subjects: guidance counseling and value education," he mentioned during the National Teacher's Day celebration, announcing November as National Teacher Month, as reported by the Ministry of Education and Culture. According to Mu'ti, there are three requirements to achieve professional and prosperous teachers, one of which is through the PPG program. The second requirement is teacher certification. To support this, the Ministry will assist teachers who do not yet have a Bachelor's degree (S1) or a Diploma IV (D4). "Our future program, God willing, will include scholarships or educational assistance for teachers to continue their studies to D4 or S1 levels," he said. Lastly, the welfare of teachers will continue to be improved. "Quality teachers, excellent teachers, are partly determined by their welfare," Abdul Mu'ti added. PPG is an education program for future teachers or current teachers to earn a teaching certificate. Its goal is to improve the skills and qualifications of teachers so they are ready to teach at the elementary and secondary education levels. There are two types of PPG: one for future teachers (pre-service) and one for current teachers in specific roles (in-service). Successful PPG applicants will receive educational funding of Rp 17 million to cover their studies for two semesters or one academic year.