LABUHANBATU SELATAN | INDATANEWS.COM- A total of 482 Grade XI students of the Yayasan Perguruan Ki Hajar Dewantara Kotapinang took part in preparations for their industrial internships, known as Praktik Kerja Lapangan (PKL), before gaining hands-on experience in companies and industry. The school prepared the students by strengthening their mental readiness, skills, discipline and professional ethics, while also sending them off with prayers and good wishes through the traditional Tepung Tawar ceremony.
The Yayasan Perguruan Ki Hajar Dewantara
Kotapinang held the preparation on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at the futsal court on the school grounds at Jalan Jawa No. 121 A,
Kotapinang. A day later, on Thursday, August 20, 2026, the foundation officially sent off the students as they began their PKL placements at various institutions and companies working in partnership with the school.
The event marked an important moment for the school in ensuring that students were comprehensively prepared to enter the workplace. The school places emphasis not only on academic knowledge and technical competencies, but also on character building, attitude, discipline and a sense of responsibility.
Preparing Students for the Industrial Workplace
The foundation highlighted the preparation of the younger generation for workplace demands as an important part of the PKL program. The school views the internship not merely as an academic requirement, but as an opportunity for students to demonstrate their abilities, gain professional experience and learn firsthand how to take responsibility.
As part of the preparation, the school provided students with various forms of guidance and orientation. This was followed by the symbolic handover of the participants to representatives of the companies and industry partners involved in the PKL program.
Through these activities, students gained an overview of the working environment they will encounter during their internships. At the same time, they were encouraged to uphold professional ethics, communicate appropriately, comply with applicable rules and carry out their responsibilities throughout the internship.
The send-off took on a more solemn atmosphere with a joint prayer. Through the prayer, participants expressed hopes for the students' safety, a smooth internship experience and success throughout their placement.
The foundation also maintains the Tepung Tawar ceremony as part of the send-off tradition for hundreds of students. The tradition symbolizes blessings, wishes for safety and moral support for the young people before they leave school and proceed to their respective internship locations.
UPHOLDING THE SCHOOL'S REPUTATION: Yayasan Perguruan Ki Hajar Dewantara
Kotapinang urges students to uphold the good name of their school throughout their PKL, maintain professional ethics and demonstrate discipline. (PHOTO: Jhon Fitra Sagala)
Appeal to Uphold the School's Reputation
Hajah Eriani Harahap, S.Pd., a representative of the foundation and a member of its founding board, called on all students to uphold the good reputation of their school throughout their PKL.
She urged the participants to maintain high professional ethics, remain disciplined, actively learn and put into practice the values of exemplary character they have developed during their education at school.
Drs. Hj. Naga Perlaungan Lubis, M.Pd., also emphasized the importance of discipline and responsibility. Speaking before the students, he specifically highlighted the need to observe working hours and maintain punctuality throughout the internship.
"Be punctual every working day. Carry out your duties with full commitment and a strong sense of responsibility," was the foundation's message to the PKL participants.
According to the foundation, a total of 482 students are participating in the PKL program this year. The participants come from several study programs at Yayasan Perguruan
SMK Ki Hajar Dewantara Kotapinang.
The school hopes that the students will be able to adapt to their working environments and demonstrate a positive attitude throughout their internships. In addition to technical skills, they are expected to understand that conduct, discipline and communication skills are essential components of building professional experience.
TAKING RESPONSIBILITY AT THE INTERNSHIP WORKPLACE: The foundation reminds the 482 PKL participants to be punctual, carry out their duties diligently and demonstrate responsibility throughout their placement at industrial companies. (PHOTO: Jhon Fitra Sagala)
Tepung Tawar Reinforces Student Character
The Tepung Tawar tradition, held each time PKL participants are sent to their internship locations, is part of the Yayasan Perguruan Ki Hajar Dewantara
Kotapinang's efforts to integrate education, culture and character development.
For the school, the ceremony is more than a symbolic event. Tepung Tawar represents blessings and good wishes for the students to complete their PKL safely while gaining valuable experience.
The school also hopes that, after completing their internships, the students will return to the educational institution with new knowledge and experience from the industrial sector. They are expected to share and apply those experiences in their subsequent learning process at school.
The students' need for practical experience is one of the reasons behind the implementation of the PKL program. Through the internship, they have the opportunity to experience workplace culture, time discipline, responsibility, communication and technical skills in real-world settings.
School-based education and industrial experience are two complementary areas. Students are expected not only to understand theoretical knowledge, but also to apply it in actual workplace situations.
The foundation hopes that all participants will take their PKL seriously, maintain good conduct, protect the school's reputation and absorb as much knowledge as possible at their respective internship locations.
"We hope that when the children return from the industrial companies, they will share and communicate the knowledge they gained there," was among the expectations expressed by the foundation.
The deployment of 482 students also underscores the commitment of Yayasan Perguruan Ki Hajar Dewantara Kotapinang to preparing the younger generation for the world of work. The school seeks to equip students not only with technical competencies, but also with strong character, discipline, professional ethics and a sense of responsibility.
For the students, PKL is more than a temporary absence from school. It is a first step toward experiencing the working world firsthand, testing their abilities, gaining experience and representing the good name of their school in society and the industrial sector.
Armed with the knowledge they have gained at school, along with the prayers and good wishes offered before their departure, the students are expected to approach every stage of their PKL seriously and responsibly. The experience they gain during their time in industry is expected to serve as a valuable foundation for their continued education and eventual entry into the workforce. (IDNC)
REPORTER:
Jhon Fitra Sagala | EDITOR:
Fik Sagala