Wakil Bupati Merauke Resmikan Prakerin SMK Pertanian
Oleh Medco Foundation
MERAUKE – Deputy Regent of Merauke, Sularso, on Monday (October 3) morning, officially launched the departure of students and inaugurated agricultural learning facilities in Wapeko as a sign of the commencement of the industrial internship assistance program (Prakerin) for four vocational high schools (SMK) in the agricultural sector in the region.
The inauguration of this Prakerin assistance program was also marked by the signing of a joint memorandum of understanding between Medco Papua and four agricultural vocational schools in Merauke, namely SMKN 1 Jagebob, SMKN 1 Tanah Miring, SMKN 1 Kumbe, and SMK Antonius.
The Prakerin assistance program for agricultural vocational schools in Merauke by Medco is part of the company's collaboration with the Merauke Regency Government, the Directorate of Vocational High School Development at the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture, agricultural vocational schools in Merauke, and corporate partners, including PT. Bayer Indonesia’s Crop Science division.
A total of 59 students from the four schools, specializing in agriculture, forest conservation, and office administration, will participate in industrial internships at a learning facility centered in Wapeko. In this program, Medco and the schools work together to facilitate and mentor students in internships, fieldwork, and training. To support this initiative, Medco provides an integrated agricultural land in Wapeko as a "laboratory" where vocational school students can apply their agricultural knowledge in practice.
"This is a follow-up to the cooperation agreement between Medco and the Directorate of Vocational High School Development of the Ministry of Education and Culture of Indonesia as part of efforts to revitalize vocational schools in Indonesia. Hopefully, this program will contribute to the advancement of vocational education in Papua, particularly in the agricultural sector," said Budi Basuki, President Director of Medco Papua.
Laksmi Prasvita, Head of Communications and Public Affairs at PT. Bayer Indonesia, stated, "Bayer is actively contributing to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to meet food needs and industrial innovation. Therefore, Bayer is also actively involved in sharing knowledge and supporting good agricultural practices in vocational schools in Merauke, so that students can become modern farmers and help increase food production in Indonesia. We plan to replicate and expand this initiative to various regions in Indonesia." In addition to contributing to the development of agricultural learning modules, Bayer is also donating computer facilities to support the teaching and learning process and providing intensive training for teachers participating in this program.
The Head of the Vocational High School Principals' Working Group (MKKS) in Merauke, Marthen Rummar, during a meeting with the Papua Provincial Education Office last May, stated that the Prakerin collaboration with Medco would enhance the capability of vocational schools in producing high-quality young farmers in the future.
"Through this internship program, students can truly understand agriculture in depth, from soil preparation to harvesting. So, it's no longer just theory," said Marthen. [INS]