Tuesday, 15 September 2026
LABUHANBATU | INDATANEWS.COM - State Vocational High School (SMKN) 1 Rantau Utara in Labuhanbatu Regency, North Sumatra, continues its efforts to develop students' competencies through school organizational activities. One of these efforts was the election of the chairperson of the Student Council (OSIS) for the 2026–2027 term. The election is part of a learning process designed to strengthen leadership, communication, teamwork and the use of digital technology.
For a vocational school, it is not enough to assess students solely on the basis of their academic performance. Schools must also equip students with personal competencies and soft skills to prepare them for entering the industrial and professional world after graduation.The Principal of SMKN 1 Rantau Utara, Deva Linda Daulay, S.Pd., M.Si., said the school plays an important role in supporting OSIS activities while providing students with opportunities to develop skills beyond academic learning.
"The school's main role in relation to OSIS is to promote digital competencies. At the same time, the school serves as a supervisory and supporting institution and provides the necessary facilities so that students can develop their soft skills and personal competencies," Deva Linda Daulay said during an interview in the school's teachers' room on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.Experience in school organizations can serve as an important means of developing these abilities. Through involvement in student organizations, students learn to take responsibility, work with others, communicate their ideas and make decisions.
"Therefore, the school continuously develops students' competencies so they can meet industry requirements. One way is to encourage them to become involved in organizations, thereby aligning the education system more closely with the actual standards of the workplace," she said.According to Linda, the election of the OSIS chairperson for the 2026–2027 term is not merely an annual school program. The activity gives students practical experience in leadership processes while strengthening their ability to make decisions quickly and responsibly.
She explained that the election process also trains candidates to lead teams, formulate organizational visions and missions, manage data and utilize digital technology. Such experience is particularly important as the workplace becomes increasingly dependent on technology."The recent OSIS chairperson election was aimed at training leadership skills. Candidates had to mobilize teams, make tactical and responsible decisions, and at the same time learn to use digital technology for data management as well as for developing the vision and mission of the student organization," Linda said.
According to Linda, this experience can help students develop public speaking skills. For vocational students in particular, this ability is highly important. Confidence and the ability to speak in front of others are not only valuable at school but also provide important preparation for their future careers.
"At the same time, students are expected to learn how to communicate and negotiate effectively. During the campaign and debates as part of the OSIS chairperson election, it was clear that the students were developing their public speaking skills."She added that the ability to communicate one's views and persuade others is among the important competencies students should possess. In the workplace, employees are required to communicate effectively with colleagues, supervisors, customers and business partners.
"In this context, the students are learning how to convince other people. This ability is crucial in the real working environment," Linda said.According to her, these communication skills will later be highly useful in various professional positions. She cited careers in sales, marketing and management, as well as fields that require close teamwork, as examples.
"If someone works in sales, marketing, management or as part of a team, public speaking skills are essential. These are competencies the students will need after graduating from SMKN 1 Rantau Utara," Linda explained.
SMKN 1 Rantau Utara hopes that various school activities will help produce graduates who are able to adapt to developments in industry. In addition to technical competencies, students are expected to possess critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, technological skills, and the ability to process digital information and data.
The school is also seeking to establish organizational activities as part of practical learning experiences that strengthen students' character and personal abilities. In this way, students are expected not only to gain knowledge in the classroom but also to acquire practical experience in taking responsibility and working with others."We sincerely hope that the facilities and programs at SMKN 1 Rantau Utara can help produce students who can think quickly, find solutions, use technology, manage digital data and apply critical thinking. These competencies are highly important in meeting the demands of industry and the workplace of the future."
The 2026–2027 OSIS chairperson election resulted in several students being entrusted with key positions within the new organizational structure. Taqifa Zilryfiera Balqis from Class XI MPLB 2 was elected OSIS chairperson. The position of vice chairperson will be held by Muhammad Ardi Rizkiyani from Class XI PM 2.Sarin from Class XI AKL 1 was elected general secretary, while Annida Hayatun Nufus from Class XI MPLB 1 was appointed general treasurer.
The new OSIS leadership is expected to implement organizational programs while serving as a platform for students to further develop leadership, communication, teamwork, creativity and digital technology skills.These competency-development efforts are also accompanied by the academic achievements of students at SMKN 1 Rantau Utara. In August 2026, Charles Canon Carefully won first place in an English-language speech competition. Another achievement was recorded by Sihat Riawanto, who finished second overall in a competition for secondary school students across Labuhanbatu Regency.
In addition, 19 students from SMKN 1 Rantau Utara were admitted to state universities (PTN). These achievements demonstrate the school's continued efforts to balance academic performance, vocational skills, competition achievements, and preparation for higher education and the workplace.By strengthening organizational experience, digital competencies, communication skills, leadership abilities and critical thinking, SMKN 1 Rantau Utara aims to prepare graduates who not only successfully complete their education but also possess the skills necessary to adapt to the continuously changing demands of industry and the professional world. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Ucok Bangun/ML Harahap | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
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