Bogor, Indonesia, 2 June 2026 — SEAMEO BIOTROP, in collaboration with the Directorate of Teachers for Secondary and Special Education (PMPK) under the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen), organized the Teacher Competency Development Program (PKG) for Special Schools (SLB) in Agricultural Skills from 2–5 June 2026 in Bogor, West Java. The program aimed to strengthen the professional competencies of special education teachers in developing adaptive, contextual, and relevant agricultural skills learning that addresses the needs of students with special needs while keeping pace with technological advancements and the evolving world of work. The program brought together representatives from 30 Special Schools (SLB) selected through a national selection process from 697 applicants across Indonesia.

In his opening remarks, Director of SEAMEO BIOTROP, Dr. Edi Santosa, emphasized that urban farming has significant potential as a learning medium capable of integrating practical skills, entrepreneurship, and food security into a comprehensive educational approach. According to him, practice-based learning not only enhances students' technical competencies but also fosters creativity, independence, and an entrepreneurial mindset as essential preparation for the future. He also reaffirmed SEAMEO BIOTROP's commitment to continuously developing similar initiatives as part of its efforts to strengthen educators' capacity in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Director of Teachers for Secondary and Special Education, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Mr. Arif Jamali, S.Pd., M.Pd., highlighted that strengthening teachers' competencies remains one of the Ministry's priorities in advancing inclusive and high-quality education. He underscored the strategic role of teachers in equipping students with the competencies needed to foster independence and active participation in society. Through the Teacher Competency Development Program (PKG), the Directorate is committed to expanding access to continuous professional development opportunities for special education teachers throughout Indonesia.

Deputy Director for Program of SEAMEO BIOTROP, Dr. Doni Yusri, added that the development of urban farming in school environments not only supports teaching and learning activities but also serves as an effective means of building students' life skills. Through this training, teachers are equipped with practical competencies that can be adapted to their respective school contexts, enabling them to create sustainable benefits for both students and the wider school community.

Throughout the four-day program, participants engaged in a combination of classroom sessions and hands-on practical activities covering various urban agriculture techniques, including hydroponics, aquaponics, container fruit cultivation (tabulampot), integrated horticulture, and field practice at SEAMEO BIOTROP's learning facilities and demonstration plots. The program was facilitated by resource persons from SEAMEO BIOTROP with expertise in education, agriculture, and community empowerment, namely Ms. Dewi Suryani, Ms. Risa Rosita, Dr. Supriyanto, and Dr. Ahmad Budidarma.

Through the Teacher Competency Development Program (PKG) for Special Schools in Agricultural Skills, SEAMEO BIOTROP and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education expect participating teachers to implement more practical, innovative, and sustainable agricultural learning models in their respective schools. The program is expected not only to enhance teachers' professional competencies but also to strengthen the life skills of students with special needs, promote school-based food security, and expand access to inclusive, future-oriented vocational education.