Implementing Teacher Professionalism Training for Social Sciences Teachers

Abstract

This research explored strategies for implementing teacher professionalism training (PPG) for social sciences teachers and was conducted at Semarang State University. This strategy was designed so that teachers would meet the standards of professionalism both inside and outside the classroom. This study used qualitative research methods. Data collection was conducted by observations, documentation analysis and interviews with participants in the process of implementing PPG for social sciences teachers at Semarang State University. The results of this study were: (1) intensive assistance in the participant’s mastery of the material was a major focus in the implementation of PPG training for social sciences teachers, in addition to developing the skills and ability of PPG participants; mastery of teacher competency skills, literacy skills and character building as professional teachers were the next strategies in implementing education; and some teaching materials were still improperly evaluated as they were not used as determinants of graduation assessments; (2) stakeholder involvement, including of professional organizations and/or external professional and relevant parties in the implementation of PPG, was crucial; and (3) the importance of establishing an academic forum by teachers participating in PPG to carry out seminars and discussions in order to hone knowledge and support professionalization was identified. Moreover, this research revealed the sustainability and usefulness of teacher professionalism in schools. Furthermore, teachers as PPG participants absorbed both the material and skills that were taught and thus could pass the performance test and knowledge test. The recommendations of this study are that every study program of a PPG organizer must always develop a PPG implementation strategy to produce professional teachers. As an input, professional teachers outside the campus are required as stakeholders for improving PPG implementation. Keywords: profession, teacher, strategy, sustainability