Singaraja- The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) continues to trust Ganesha University of Education (Undiksha) as an institution that administers the Teacher Professional Education (PPG) program. In 2024, this university in Northern Bali was allocated 4.154 student slots for PPG Specific Teacher Phase II. Students from various regions across Indonesia participated in an online academic orientation on Thursday, August 29, 2024.
The students, coming from 21 programs across 31 provinces in Indonesia, represent a wide diversity. The largest group comes from NTT (East Nusa Tenggara) with 1.158 students, followed by NTB (West Nusa Tenggara) with 1.389 students, while the remaining students come from 29 other provinces. This diversity reinforces the PPG Undiksha slogan as “The Rainbow of Nation.”
The PPG Coordinator Undiksha, I Gede Nurjaya, M.Pd., explained that the 2024 PPG program is based on Peemendikbudristek No. 9 of 2024. The designation for in-service PPG has changed to PPG for Specific Teacher and Pre-service PPG is now referred to as PPG for Teacher Candidates. “Permendikbudristek No. 9 of 2024 stipulates that the students enrolled in the pilot phase of the PPG for Specific Teachers do not attend formal learning at LPTK. Instead, participants registered at LPTK are assigned a student identification number, are registered in PDDikti, undertake independent study through the PMM, and then participate in UKP PPG,” he explained. As a result, the universities play a limited role in PPG for Specific Teachers, as the exams are organized by the Ministry and the LPTK issues certificates upon successful completion.
The academic orientation was officially opened by the Vice Rector of Undiksha for Students Affairs, Alumni, and Public Relations, Prof. Dr. I Ketut Sudiana, M.Kes. He emphasized Undiksha’s commitment to implementing the PPG program with excellence, aiming to produce professional and competitive graduates. Throughout its implementation, Undiksha’s PPG graduation numbers have consistently been above the national average. Therefore, PPG students are encouraged to take pride in being part of Undiksha.
Prof. Sudiana highlighted that the core objective of the PPG program is to develop professional teachers or teacher candidates. He outlined 3 indicators of professionalism. First, mastery of the subject matter. Second, professional work should provide adequate salaries, rewards, and benefits. Third, the profession should hold a high level of dignity. “Therefore, once you become professional teachers, it is hoped there will no longer be complaints about insufficient salaries or feeling forced into the profession. You should take pride in your profession, supported by intellectual, spiritual, and social intelligence,” he urged. After completing the PPG program, teachers are expected to fully implement these professional criteria in their profession.