Challenges and Strategies in Curriculum Change among Agrotechnology Lecturers in Community College

Abstract

Climate change, shortages of resources, advancements in artificial intelligence, technological explosions, and globalization have an impact on the agricultural labour market. As a result, the Institute of Technical and Vocational Training Education (PLTV) is under pressure to produce highly trained graduates in order to meet its objectives. In an effort to resolve this issue, PLTV, particularly Community College, is urgently needed to revise the curriculum of the Community College Certificate Programme (SKK), particularly in the field of agrotechnology. The study aims at exploring the challenges and strategies of agrotechnology lecturers at Community College in facing the prospect of curriculum changes. The survey study was designed implementing a qualitative methodology. The collection of survey data is carried out through semi-structured interviews using adapted interview protocols. The study population consisted of lecturers in the field of agrotechnology at Community College covering three clusters namely agriculture technology, aquaculture and food processing and quality control. The purposive sampling method is used to select six survey informan who meet the set criteria. The data obtained is analyzed thematically. The findings of the study find lecturers facing challenges from aspects of expertise, knowledge, and competence; time constraints; lack of resources; and curriculum design. The lecturers also recommended strategies to overcome the challenges in curriculum change from the practice aspect; resource improvement; curricular improvements; and quality assurance. This finding is expected to contribute to the the curriculum change process especially for the Agrotechnology Certificate Program.