Bandung, West Java, September 22, 2026 – As many as 150,000 teachers have the opportunity to complete their undergraduate or diploma-level academic qualifications through the Academic Qualification Fulfillment Program (PKA) implemented by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen). The PKA program quota, through the Prior Learning Recognition (RPL) mechanism, has increased significantly from the 12,500 beneficiaries in the previous year. This expansion of opportunities is part of Kemendikdasmen's efforts to accelerate the fulfillment of academic qualifications for hundreds of thousands of teachers who have not yet met the minimum qualifications of an undergraduate or diploma-level education (D4) as mandated by Law Number 14 of 2005 concerning Teachers and Lecturers.
The PKA program is a program for teachers to meet the educational qualifications of a bachelor's degree (S1) or diploma (D4). One of its implementation mechanisms is RPL (Research and Development), which allows teachers' learning achievements to be recognized and considered in the educational process according to university regulations.
The Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Wamendikdasmen), Fajar Riza Ul Haq, emphasized that the PKA program is not only a means of accelerating teachers' achievement in obtaining undergraduate or diploma four (D4) education qualifications, but must also have an impact on improving teacher quality and competence. He conveyed this while delivering a public lecture to new students at Muhammadiyah University of Bandung (UMB), West Java, on Monday (September 21). On that occasion, Deputy Minister Fajar appreciated UMB for being a partner of the Ministry of Education and Secondary Education in implementing the PKA program through RPL.
"We hope this isn't just a formality for participating in the PKA and earning a bachelor's degree, but it should also impact the quality and competence of our teachers," he said.
Deputy Minister Fajar revealed that hundreds of thousands of teachers still haven't completed their undergraduate or diploma four degrees due to various limitations. Therefore, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has made accelerating teacher education through the PKA Program through RPL a priority.
"Therefore, one of our priority programs at the Ministry of Education and Culture is to accelerate the progress of our teachers to obtain undergraduate or diploma four degrees through the PKA program through RPL," he said.
According to him, strengthening teacher competency through PKA is an important part of ensuring that educational transformation in Indonesia takes place simultaneously because teachers are the main actors in the learning process.
In his public lecture, Deputy Minister Fajar also encouraged students, including teachers participating in the PKA program through RPL, to continue fostering a culture of learning, regardless of age. He cited the teachers participating in the PKA program through RPL as examples of how the spirit of learning can remain vibrant even at a more mature age.
"Age is not a barrier to seeking knowledge," he said.
Through the Ministry of Education and Culture's collaboration with universities like UMB, the government is optimistic that teachers will not only obtain formal academic qualifications but also develop stronger competencies to support a vibrant, student-centered learning process in schools. (Writer & Photographer: Rayhan/Editor: Uly)
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Secretariat General
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