Concept of SMKN education should be replicated nationwide: Jokowi

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated that the concept of Public Vocational High School (SMKN) education for underprivileged people in Semarang, Central Java, should be replicated in other provinces.

“Soon, I will instruct the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology to visit this school. We will evaluate it and consider expanding it to other provinces,” he said during his visit to SMKN Jateng, as quoted from a statement by the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday.

Jokowi remarked that the school was founded by the Central Java Provincial Government through a policy of converting a former vocational training center building into an SMKN facility specifically for low-income families in the local area.

He mentioned that all operational costs related to education at the school were covered by the provincial government, including students’ uniforms, footwear, and meals.

During his visit, Jokowi also inspected various educational facilities at the school, including a lathe workshop and an innovative project for a portable three-wheeled vehicle road patching system, as well as the use of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines.

“When I visited other vocational schools in different provinces, I also assessed their infrastructure. They have a range of machines, from basic to CNC machines,” he stated.

He also emphasized that the learning curriculum system at SMKN Jateng was integrated with the needs of the industry.

“It is closely linked with the industrial sector. With these facilities, from the basics to CNC machines, I believe it is well-supported by the industry,” he remarked.

Jokowi also mentioned that SMKN Jateng provides scholarships for students to study in Japan.

“The school offers scholarships for university studies in Japan. This is a significant breakthrough and can address issues related to poverty,” Jokowi stated.