Determining factors for Location of Vocational Schools Based on Regional Characteristics in Pasuruan Regency, Indonesia

Abstract

Purpose Vocational schools play a very significant role in the growth of a country along with its economy. Developments that occur in Pasuruan require the availability of infrastructure to support people's lives, including educational infrastructure in schools, especially vocational schools. Currnetly, there are a few vocational schools (SMK) but the problems faced are about how to determine the location for new vocational schols in the Pasuruan Regency. Method A qualitative research approach was adopted in this study through indepth interviews with informants. These informants were teachers and students. The data gathered was analyzed through content analysis method to obtain the thematic patterns. Findings This study showed the evidence that vocational education played a significant role in the economic development of any country. The findings revealed eight factors affecting the selection of location for the vocational high schools in Pasuruan Regency, Indonesia. Findings also hinted at a few other potential problems related to physical and environmental conditions, such as security, and environmental health, supporting infrastructure, such as electricity, water, and telephone networks, as well as economic factors related to the compatibility between socio- economic factors. Implications to Research and Practice Future studies can use the findings of this study to develop plans for vocational schools in other regions. These findings can also be used by the policy makers and academicians of the educational studies as well.