Makassar, July 11, 2026 – Behind each patiently woven piece of traditional cloth lies the story of the birth of a new generation of Indonesian textile preservers. Through the Entrepreneurship Skills Education Program (PKW), a collaboration between the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) and the National Crafts Council (Dekranas), young people are now learning not only to weave but also to build a future based on cultural heritage.

This portrait was featured at the 46th Anniversary Exhibition of the National Crafts Association (Dekranas) in Makassar on Thursday (July 9th), where several PKW alumni demonstrated the process of weaving traditional textiles to visitors. They demonstrated that weaving skills can be passed down across generations and provide a livelihood.

Since its inception in 2020, the Ministry of Education and Culture's Student Development Program (PKW) and the National Crafts Department (Dekranas) have trained more than 5,700 textile preservationists through mentoring from the Directorate of Courses and Training (Ditsuslat). This program is part of an effort to expand life skills-based non-formal education services by engaging the Dekranas and Dekranasda networks in various regions.

Yaya Sutarya, Director of Courses and Training at the Ministry of Elementary and Secondary Education, stated that the presence of PKW participants at the exhibition was concrete evidence of the positive practices of non-formal education in preserving culture. He hopes that the participants' work will gain greater recognition and penetrate wider markets, including the global market.

"The works displayed at the 46th Anniversary Exhibition of Dekranas represent good practices from the Ministry of Education and Culture's PKW Program and Dekranas. They are textile preservationists equipped with entrepreneurial skills," said Yaya.

One story comes from Wahyuni, a PKW alumna from Dekranasda (Regional Crafts Association) in Ogan Ilir Regency, South Sumatra. She chose to learn gebeng weaving because she wanted to help preserve the traditional fabric, which had previously been made mostly by senior weavers. Now, she produces at least two pieces of cloth per month and accepts orders from customers.

Sinta displays a similar passion. Drawing on her songket weaving experience since junior high school, she deepened her gebeng weaving techniques through the PKW program, including learning how to make yarn with natural dyes. Her work is now marketed through marketplaces and social media platforms, creating a growing business opportunity.

For Wahyuni and Sinta, PKW not only provided new skills but also paved the way for economic independence. Income from weaving helps meet daily needs while supporting the family economy. Through young hands like theirs, Indonesian textiles continue to thrive, thrive, and find their place amidst changing times.*** (Author & Documentation: Setditjen Dikmen Diksus Team)

Bureau of Communication and Public Relations
Secretariat General
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education

Website: kemendikdasmen.go.id
X: x.com/Kemdikdasmen
Instagram: instagram.com/kemendikdasmen
Facebook: facebook.com/kemendikdasmen
YouTube: Ministry of Education and Culture
Questions and Complaints: ult.kemendikdasmen.go.id
Press Release from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education: kemendikdasmen.go.id/pencarian/siaran-pers

#QualityEducationforAll
#MinistryOfEducationAndEducationFriendly

Source: Siaran Pers Kementerian Pendidikan Dasar dan Menengah Nomor: 577/sipers/A6/VII/2026

Writer: Denty Anugrahmawaty

Editor: Denty Anugrahmawaty

Dinas Pendidikan Ruang Murid Ruang Sekolah Ruang Pemerintah Ruang Mitra Ruang Publik Sekjen Guru Dikdasmen Sekolah Dikdasmen Murid Dikdasmen Mitra Dikdasmen Wajib Belajar 13 Tahun dan Pemerataan Kesempatan Pendidikan Penguatan Pendidikan Unggul, Literasi, Numerasi dan Sains Teknologi