University-government collaboration model to improve school teacher competence in North Sumatra, Indonesia

ABSTRACT

This study aims to improve the competence of school teachers in the Province of North Sumatra, Indonesia, through collaboration between the Universitas Negeri Medan and local governments. It introduced a training program model to school teachers in 33 regencies and cities, comprising activities as agreed in a Memorandum of Understanding. The training program in 2016 was implemented with 3,633 teachers from different school levels. The teachers received training on several unit programs, including the teaching profession, curriculum, advanced subject-matter, preparation of teaching and learning packages, teaching and learning organisation, and school-based action research. The results showed that 711 teachers (19.6%) met the required competence for obtaining a professional teaching certificate. In addition, the teachers’ overall competence increased significantly throughout the program. Upon completion of the training program, the teachers are expected to act as role models both during their teaching and learning activities in class as well as in their participation in school services.

KEYWORDS:

• Collaboration
• school teachers
• training program
• teacher competence
• North Sumatra

Acknowledgments

English editing provided by Isli Iriani Pane, Pusat Bahasa (Language Centre), Universitas Negeri Medan, is also gratefully acknowledged.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Universitas Negeri Medan, Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education of the Republic of Indonesia, under Project Research Policy, Contract No. 178A/UN33.8/KU/2016, 1 July 2016.

Notes on contributors

Manihar Situmorang

Manihar Situmorangis currently a Vice Rector on Planning, Collaboration and Communication Affairs, Universitas Negeri Medan, Jl. Willem Iskandar, Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. He is a Professor in Chemistry Education and has been teaching for more than 31 years. He was Dean in Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences for 8 years, and Head of Research Institute for 4 years. His research interests are sensor development, electroanalysis, and innovative learning material. Manihars works have been published in Biosensor & Bioelectronic, Talanta, Anal Chimica Acta, Electroanalysis, The Analyst, Modern Applied Science, Journal of Chemical Education, Journal Baltic Science Education, and International Education Studies. E-mail: [email protected]

Syawal Gultom

Syawal Gultom is currently a Rector of Universitas Negeri Medan, Jl. Willem Iskandar, Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. He is a Professor in Mathematics Education in Faculty of Mathematic and Natural Sciences and has been teaching for more than 30 years. Syawal was Vice Rector on Finance for 4 years in the university, and promoted then as The Head of Human Resources Development Agency Education and Culture and Quality Assurance of Education (ESDM), The Ministry of Education and Culture Republic Indonesia for 5 years. His research interests are on Education Management and Leadership, and Curriculum Development, and Mathematics Education. E-mail: [email protected]

Abdul Hamid K

Abdul Hamid K is currently a Vice Rector on Academic Affairs, Universitas Negeri Medan, Jl. Willem Iskandar, Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. He is a Professor in Vocational Education in the Faculty of Engineering and has been teaching for more than 33 years. He was Dean of Faculty of Engineering for 8 years, and Head of Institute for Improvement and Development of Instructional Activities (LP2AI) for 3 years. Hamid research interests are on Education Policy, Education Management and Leadership, Education Technology, and Educational Vocational. E-mail: [email protected]

Abil Mansyur Panjaitan

Abil Mansyur Panjaitan is currently a staff in Vice Rector on Planning, Collaboration and Communication office, Universitas Negeri Medan, Jl. Willem Iskandar, Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. He is a Senior Lecture in Mathematics Education in Faculty of Mathematic and Natural Sciences and has been teaching for more than 15 years. Abil is engage to manage the collaboration in Universitas Negeri Medan for 10 years, and has been involve to organize various training program in the university. His research interest are Mathematics Model and Software. E-mail: [email protected] and [email protected]

Winsyahputra Ritonga

Winsyahputra Ritonga is currently a staff in Vice Rector on Planning, Collaboration and Communication office, Universitas Negeri Medan, Jl. Willem Iskandar, Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. He is Junior Lecture in Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and has been teaching for more than 10 years in the Department of Physics Education. Winsyahputra is a secretary of Teacher Training Program office in the university and also as person in charge to initiate the collaboration become a collaboration activity for the university. He has been involve to organize various training program in the university. E-mail: [email protected] and [email protected]