Five PGSD UNU Jogja Alumni Pass Teacher Professional Education Program, Prepare to Become Future Teachers

Yogyakarta, Indonesia - Quality learning begins with quality teachers. This belief has encouraged five alumni of the Elementary School Teacher Education (PGSD) Study Program at Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja) to pursue the Teacher Professional Education (PPG) program.

The program, organized by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) through the Directorate of Teacher Professional Education, is one of the government's efforts to prepare and enhance teachers' professionalism through professional education.

Five PGSD UNU Jogja alumni were selected in the Second Wave of the 2026 PPG selection. They were admitted through two schemes: the PPG for Prospective Teachers and the PPG for Certain Teachers.

Under the 2026 PPG for Prospective Teachers scheme, three PGSD UNU Jogja alumni—Lulu Maisun Nurjihan, Muhammad Yuda N, and Annisa Dewi—were selected. Meanwhile, two other alumni, Lutfika Istiqomah and Miftakhul Anisa N, were selected through the 2026 PPG for Certain Teachers scheme.

One of the selected alumni, Lulu Maisun Nurjihan, who currently serves as a third-grade homeroom teacher at MI Al-Madina Prambanan, said that participating in the PPG program is an important part of her professional journey. For her, the program is not merely about fulfilling professional administrative requirements, but also provides broader opportunities to serve and contribute to the field of education.

“Teaching is what I enjoy most. I realize that education is a means for the younger generation to contribute to the country. I have chosen to take education seriously by continuously upgrading myself, both through various activities and by strengthening my professional qualifications,” she said on Wednesday, September 30. 

Lulu said her decision to participate in the PPG program is also part of her commitment to continuous learning and improving her capacity as an educator. She believes that teachers are not only expected to deliver learning materials but must also continuously develop their competencies in line with students’ needs and developments in education.

Similarly, Miftakhul Anisa N said that being accepted into the PPG program provides an opportunity to strengthen her competence and professionalism as an educator. She joined the PPG for Certain Teachers scheme because she has been teaching since graduating from high school in 2019.

“I joined the PPG for Certain Teachers because I had already been teaching from the beginning. I am currently still teaching at Budi Mulyo Integrated Islamic Kindergarten as a Class B teacher,” she said.

Miftakhul explained that throughout her teaching career, her responsibilities have extended beyond classroom instruction. She has also handled several administrative duties at school, including serving as an operator and secretary. These experiences have helped her understand various aspects of educational management.

According to Miftakhul, future educational challenges will become increasingly dynamic as student characteristics and technology continue to evolve. Learning should no longer be centered solely on textbooks or student worksheets, but should also provide learning experiences through projects and hands-on experiments.

“In my view, future classrooms will be much more dynamic. Students will not only learn from textbooks available at school or worksheets, but also through project-based learning and hands-on experiments. Our role as teachers will shift from simply delivering material to becoming facilitators and mentors,” she said.

Miftakhul added that classrooms should also become collaborative spaces that encourage students to develop critical thinking, creativity, and empathy. She believes this approach is important so that learning does not focus solely on mastering subject matter but also supports students’ overall development.

As a teacher from Generation Z, she sees opportunities to integrate technology and trends that are familiar to students into the learning process. In her view, contemporary education needs to be developed in a relevant, interactive, and empathetic manner so that learning becomes more contextual while also providing a safe space for children to grow and develop.

PGSD UNU Jogja lecturer Mustamid, M.Pd., appreciated the achievement of the five alumni. He said their success in the PPG selection demonstrates that the education they received during their university years can serve as a foundation for continued professional development after graduation.

He also expressed hope that the achievement would motivate PGSD UNU Jogja students and alumni to continue improving their competencies and preparing themselves to meet the evolving demands of the teaching profession.

Reporter: Latifah