Policies and politics development of vocational education in Indonesia: a historical perspective

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to discuss the history and political development of vocational education in Indonesia began before independence until independence era.Design/methodology/approachAnalysis of related documents and literature was used to explore the policies and politics of vocational education in Indonesia. Some documents traced were in the form of laws and regulations and previous writings related to the politics and policies of vocational education in Indonesia.FindingsThe politics of vocational education at this time reinforces identity politics in the form of the language of instruction in the politics of vocational education. In addition, the school curriculum at this time tried to accommodate the interests of the colonizers. Change slowly occurred when Indonesia declared independence, and vocational education slowly underwent changes and development. Apart from still strengthening its identity in the form of language, culture and social structure, Indonesian vocational education has also been oriented toward the development of the country.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the author has identified Indonesia's vocational education policies and politics, several things still require further investigation, especially the impact of culture in politics and vocational education policies including the contribution of community conditions.Practical implicationsThe findings of this paper can potentially raise interest in the politics of vocational education because of the many interest groups involved.Social implicationsThe findings can contribute in the conversion of interests between interest groups to allocated educational resources, both human resources and budgetary resources.Originality/valueThis paper not only describes aspects of Indonesian history and identity in vocational education and the politics of vocational education which were conducted previous studies but also provides information on strategies for converting interests between groups in the interests of vocational education.