Saturday, 11 July 2026
JAKARTA | INDATANEWS.COM - The Governor of North Sumatra, Bobby Nasution, is preparing the construction of a leading tourism-focused vocational high school (SMK) in Samosir Regency. The school, which will adopt a boarding school concept, is expected to produce qualified human resources capable of supporting the development of the Lake Toba area as an international tourism destination.
Bobby Nasution announced the plan to establish the tourism vocational school while attending the National Working Meeting (Rakernas) of Punguan Simbolon dohot Boruna Indonesia (PSBI) at Aryaduta Hotel Jakarta on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
"We are currently building a leading school in Samosir. It will be a tourism vocational school," Bobby said in his speech.
According to Bobby, the institution will not only improve students' academic abilities and professional skills but will also strengthen character development and mental preparedness, enabling the younger generation to compete in the tourism sector.
Bobby explained that the boarding school concept was selected to ensure that the education process can be carried out comprehensively. The North Sumatra Provincial Government will cover all educational needs of students, ranging from vocational training to character development.
"The concept is a boarding school system, and all costs will be covered by the government. It is not only about learning materials but also about preparing the students mentally," the governor said confidently.
He stated that the construction of the school would receive support from the Samosir Regency Government, particularly through the provision of land. According to him, the planning stage has been completed, allowing physical construction to begin soon.
"The land has already been prepared, and we only need to start construction. The Detailed Engineering Design (DED) has also been completed," he explained.
Bobby assessed that the establishment of the tourism vocational school in Samosir is part of the government's strategy to strengthen the tourism sector around Lake Toba. Beyond its extraordinary natural potential, the region requires skilled local workers who meet the demands of the tourism industry.
He hopes graduates of the school will become future drivers of the regional economy and provide high-quality services to visitors coming to Lake Toba.
On the same occasion, Bobby also emphasized the importance of developing North Sumatra's culture through a creative economy approach. He stated that cultural preservation should not only be carried out through ceremonial activities but must also provide economic benefits for the community.
He stressed that culture must continue to evolve over time without losing its original values and identity.
"We no longer live in an era where culture is only preserved statically. The important thing is how we develop it through industry," he said before PSBI representatives.
Bobby explained that developing cultural values through the creative economy could create new economic opportunities, particularly for the younger generation. The diverse cultural heritage of North Sumatra has significant potential to be transformed into creative products with greater economic value.
In addition to cultural development, Bobby also proposed the integration of Regional Drinking Water Companies (PDAM) across all areas of North Sumatra. He believes this step could become a solution to strengthening clean water supply for communities in various regions.
PSBI Chairman Effendi Simbolon conveyed three key concerns during the event, which he considered important issues affecting the people of North Sumatra.
The first concern relates to infrastructure, particularly the availability of clean water and irrigation water in Samosir Regency. Effendi said the situation requires serious attention because Samosir, as a region located in the middle of Lake Toba, continues to face limitations in water access.
"The only regency located in the middle of water, yet still experiencing water shortages, both for clean water and irrigation water," Effendi said.
The second concern concerns aquaculture activities in the Lake Toba area. Effendi emphasized that PSBI was not demanding the closure of the company but expected stronger responsibility in protecting the environment.
According to him, every economic activity around Lake Toba must consider ecosystem sustainability, particularly through proper wastewater treatment.
"We do not want the aquafarm to be closed, but we demand that the aquafarm carry out proper water and wastewater treatment," he stated.
The third concern focuses on preserving Batak culture as part of the community's cultural heritage and identity. Effendi emphasized that culture plays an important role in shaping the character of Batak society and must be preserved by future generations.
"We live and grow until today not independently from the Batak DNA, and that DNA is culture. Therefore, we ask for attention because within culture there are also arts, and these art forms are diverse," he said.
Through the construction of a leading tourism vocational school in Samosir, cultural strengthening, and improvements in basic infrastructure, the North Sumatra Government hopes regional development will go hand in hand with improving the quality of human resources and community welfare. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Darmailawati | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
/home/u7391150/public_html/indatanews.com/theme/function.php on line 28