Jombang,Aswinnews – In a spirit of togetherness and professional development, English teachers from vocational high schools (SMKs) across Jombang Regency convened for a subject teachers’ forum (Musyawarah Guru Mata Pelajaran/MGMP) and Halal Bihalal gathering. The event was held on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at the Sandhyakala Hall of SMK Negeri Kudu.
Around 60 English teachers representing 30 SMKs — including 23 private and 7 public schools — participated in the event. Also in attendance were members of the 2024–2027 MGMP English Committee for Jombang Regency, underlining the strategic significance of the gathering.
More than just a routine MGMP agenda, the meeting served as a post-Eid al-Fitr gathering, fostering camaraderie and collaboration among educators. The warm atmosphere encouraged networking, strengthened interschool cooperation, and provided a platform to exchange best practices in English language teaching.
Aligned with the East Java Provincial Education Office’s program to enhance educational quality, the event aimed to act as a catalyst for ongoing teacher competency development.
The session commenced at 9:00 a.m. with a welcome speech by Anang Ismail, S.Pd., representing the principal of SMK Negeri Kudu, Amiroh, S.Kom., M.Kom., who was unable to attend due to other commitments. In his remarks, Anang expressed appreciation for the collaborative spirit among the teachers and stressed the importance of maintaining unity within the educational community.
MGMP English Chair for Jombang, Ardi Subagiyo, M.Pd., emphasized the need for increased performance and creativity among teachers. He reiterated MGMP’s role as an active, progressive platform that can directly impact the quality of English instruction in vocational schools.
In addition to the formal sessions, the agenda featured light-hearted activities aimed at building rapport and relaxing the participants. These included a random gift exchange, interactive games, and a popular singing challenge, where teachers took turns completing song lyrics — all of which sparked laughter and strengthened personal bonds.
The event concluded with a group photo, serving both as documentation and a symbol of solidarity. The image stands as a reminder of the value of synergy and collaboration in creating a high-quality, enjoyable educational environment.
In his closing remarks, Ardi Subagiyo expressed his hope that similar gatherings would continue regularly with even broader participation. “Togetherness like this is a vital source of positive energy, essential for sustaining our teaching spirit and moving forward in shaping future generations,” he said./ Lukis
