PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The West Java (Jabar) Provincial Education Office (Disdik) together with the Indonesian Education University (UPI) are strengthening synergy in addressing the challenges of shortages and distribution of teaching staff through the GEMA JABAR Probidik Program (Strengthening Professionalism in the Field of Education–West Java Student Teaching Movement).

This program is a strategic collaboration between the West Java Provincial Government, through the West Java Education Office, and UPI, to help meet the need for teaching staff, particularly in areas requiring enhanced access and educational services.

Through a mechanism adopted from the Independent Learning and Independent Campus (MBKM) program, prospective teacher students will be deployed directly to high school, vocational school, and special needs schools (SLB) in West Java for six months.

The teaching practice activities are recognized and equated to 20 credits.

The Head of the West Java Education Office, Purwanto, also expressed his appreciation for the collaboration with UPI in supporting the fulfillment of teacher needs in West Java.

"We are very happy and grateful that UPI can collaborate and harmonize with us to fill the teacher shortage through students undergoing field practice," he said at the Achmad Sanusi Building, UPI Bandung Campus, Friday (14/8/2026).

Through the GEMA JABAR Probidik, the West Java Education Office and UPI hope that this program will not only help meet the needs of teaching staff, but also provide real experience for prospective teacher students in developing their professional competencies.

This collaboration is also expected to produce future educators who are resilient, adaptive, and competitive, while also contributing to strengthening the quality of educational services in West Java.

The activity was also attended by field supervisors and representatives of partner schools, from school principals, school coordinators to mentor teachers.

(West Java Communications and Information Service/Agustin Purnawan)