The Evaluation of Enhancement Competency Policy through Diklat Berjenjang for Early Childhood Teachers

It is important to evaluate the policies that have been rolled out. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the policy of increasing competence through the Diklat Berjenjang project for early childhood education (ECE) teachers in the first five years of policy implementation carried out by the unit (directorate) in the Indonesian government that handles early childhood education teachers and education personnel. Respondents in this study were leaders and staff in related units, leaders and members of ECE partner organizations, officials in charge of ECE in the province, and several principals of ECE schools/institutions.This policy research uses qualitative methods supported by quantitative methods, with a program evaluation approach that is sharpened by a retrospective process formal evaluation approach when analyzing the stages of policy formulation, implementation, and control as well as a goal-free evaluation approach to identify policy impacts.This study found that the directorate took the steps of formulation, implementation, performance evaluation, and policy revision. Empowering the participation of partner organizations is an important component. Diklat Berjenjang projectcan be a movement to improve the competence of ECE teachers. Norms, procedures, criteria, and standards can be used as a reference. The directorate has not yet coordinated institutionally with educational institutions at the regional level, causing a lack of control over the implementation of education and training. The recommendation of this research is to continue the policy by coordinating with educational institutions or institutions that have the authority to develop Early Childhood Education (ECE)teachers at the regional and central levels