The Indonesian Ministry of Health (MoH) and World Health Organization (WHO) have completed an intensive coaching programme to enhance teaching quality at Indonesia's Health Polytechnic (Poltekkes) institutions, addressing the nation's growing demand for skilled healthcare workers. MoH’s 38 Poltekkes play a vital role in producing over 45 000 graduates annually, but a diverse quality of teaching staff poses significant challenges to their effectiveness.
The "Coaching for Poltekkes Lecturers" programme, implemented from 8 July to 25 August 2024, trained 50 lecturers across four pilot locations in Medan, Yogyakarta, Surabaya and Pontianak. The initiative builds on the 2023 "Teaching Camp" and the development of 20 standardized nursing modules.
Led by Ai Tanimizu, Technical Officer on Nursing and Midwifery, WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia, and the WHO Indonesia team, the programme delivered week-long intensive coaching sessions at each location. The training included current nursing education updates, micro-teaching sessions and one-on-one coaching. In Pontianak, the team participated in hands-on training in clinical settings at Puskesmas Parit Haji Husin II and Soedarso Pontianak Hospital.
"The programme has significantly enhanced my teaching skills," said Marlisa, a lecturer from Poltekkes Medan. "The coaches provided valuable insights, refining our methods for a more engaging classroom approach. The one-on-one coaching sessions boosted my confidence and inspired me to share this knowledge with students."
The mission produced comprehensive recommendations for both Poltekkes institutions and MoH. Poltekkes faculty are encouraged to update their knowledge and clinical skills to ensure students receive the most current and proficient training. This includes optimizing laboratory time for practical skill development, emphasizing patient safety and communication, and establishing clear competencies and learning outcomes for each semester. The mission also highlighted the importance of evidence-based teaching and critical thinking.
For MoH, recommendations include providing English language support for lecturers to enhance their ability to access and disseminate international best practices, and for facilitating cross-institution learning opportunities. MoH is also advised to support lecturer participation in overseas professional development programmes, and to develop a standardized curriculum for the International Nursing Programme. This will ensure a unified and consistent approach to content delivery across all Poltekkes institutions, regardless of their geographical location.
"Our collaboration with WHO is a significant step forward in enhancing the quality of Poltekkes education,” said Arianti Anaya, then Director General of Health Workforce, MoH, Government of Indonesia. “By empowering our faculty with advanced teaching techniques and clinical expertise, we envision a future where our graduates are well prepared to meet the evolving healthcare challenges of our nation."
The coaching programme is aligned with the WHO Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery 2021–2025, which highlights the importance of faculty development in modern pedagogical methods and clinical expertise. It supports implementation of the MoH Strategic Plan 2020–2024 and is aligned with the forthcoming National Mid-Term Development Plan 2025–2029 (RPJMN).
This investment in pre-service education will accelerate health workforce transformation, ensuring that Poltekkes graduates are well-equipped to provide high-quality care to all Indonesians.
Written by Zakiyah Eke, National Professional Officer for Health Workforce, WHO Indonesia