PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - A total of 1,147 students from the Indonesian University of Education (UPI) are participating in the Gema Jabar Professional Strengthening in Education (Probidik) program. Through this program, the students will undertake teaching internships at 364 high schools (SMA), vocational schools (SMK), and special needs schools (SLB), comprising 230 high schools, 116 vocational schools, and 18 special needs schools (SLB). The program lasts for six months, or 20 credits.

While on duty in the field, students will be accompanied by a supervising lecturer from UPI and a supervising teacher from the school.

The Probidik program aims to address the teacher shortage in West Java. West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi fully supports the Probidik Gema Jabar program, launched by the West Java Provincial Government in collaboration with UPI.

This program should be an opportunity for students to carry out learning while learning directly to provide education to school students, especially in rural areas.

"This is a six-month opportunity for students to fully immerse themselves in the learning program and learn directly. Teaching not only puts academic skills into practice, but also fosters a sense of belonging in teaching students," the governor said during a dialogue with students on Monday (July 13, 2026).

The second thing that is emphasized is that students have a broader perspective regarding the West Java region.

"We need to understand that West Java is not just the city of Bandung. West Java is vast, so we need to understand that what needs to be educated also lies in the villages and hamlets," he stressed.

KDM, as Dedi Mulyadi is known, advised that if you graduate and become a teacher, don't forget to return to the school where you taught. Therefore, you don't need to be surprised if you get an assignment to teach in a remote area.

UPI student Andika Darmawan, from the Mechanical Engineering Education department, said he was very happy to help with this program, especially since he aspires to become a teacher.

"The program is very good for us, very helpful. Especially since many teachers will retire in the future, and I'm ready to replace them," he said.

Another UPI student, Regina, hopes that the activity will run smoothly and provide valuable experience for her before she becomes a teacher.

"We hope the activity runs well and smoothly. This will certainly be very helpful for education programs in West Java," said the student who is assigned to SMK 28, Bandung.

The Head of the West Java Education Office, Purwanto, stated that this program demonstrates the commitment of UPI and the West Java Provincial Government to realizing impactful higher education in West Java. He thanked UPI for implementing the Probidik program.

Purwanto hopes that the results of this activity will ensure that teaching and learning activities can run optimally, that students' learning rights can be properly upheld, and that students can participate in direct learning and put into practice the theories they have learned on campus.

WEST JAVA PUBLIC RELATIONS
Head of the Communication and Information Service of West Java Province
Adi Komar