BANDUNG (November 23, 2020) - Social Workers as one of the main components of social welfare providers for the community have an important role so they need to get legal protection and certainty.

As mandated by law number 14 of 2019 concerning social workers, the Bandung Social Welfare Polytechnic (Poltekesos) will open a Social Work Professional Education study program.

The proposed Professional study program will be carried out at the end of 2020. It is hoped that in 2021 admissions will be able to get permission and open admissions for Professional Study Program students.

According to the Secretary of the Educational Research and Social Counseling Agency, Harapan Lumban Gaol, in realizing the professional study program, it is necessary to partner with the Indonesian Social Work Consortium (KPSPI), the Indonesian Professional Social Worker Association (IPSPI), and certification bodies.

"To make this happen, we must continue to coordinate, I think we also need to learn from existing professional institutions," said Harapan in the preparation for the Social Worker Education Study Program at Poltekesos Bandung, 23/11/2020.

According to him, in the future, the Ministry of Social Affairs will not only use social workers and domestic workers but can also work internationally.

Furthermore, the father of three said that with the existence of Law 14 of 2019 it was necessary to have derivative regulations.

There are already two Social Ministerial Regulations that will be realized by the end of 2020, as Minister of Social Affairs Juliari P Batubara often said, BP3S as the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs' think tank.

The BP3S secretary also reminded that Poltekesos Bandung needs to make a matrix of Poltekesos Bandung current position and its target in the future, so that it can be realized according to the plan made.

Meanwhile, on the same occasion, the Deputy Director for Academic Affairs at Poltekesos Bandung, Nelson Aritonang said that the existence of professional education would be the goal of students.

"The existence of this professional education will clearly be the goal of students because a professional certificate is a requirement to become a functional social worker," said Nelson.

Nelson also added that if accreditation is a concern of the Poltekesos Bandung, according to him, a commitment is needed to achieve superior accreditation.