Guileless Guiding

(3/10/2013)

The former chairman of the Bali chapter of the Indonesian Guide Association (DPD HPI), Nyoman Kandia, has expressed concerns over steps underway to reduce the minimum educational requirement for becoming a licensed guide in Bali from a university degree to a high school completion certificate.

Kandia, quoted in Bisnis Bali, said on Thursday, March 7, 2013, said he regretted steps underway by the DPP HPI-Bali to revise provincial regulations to allow high school graduates to qualify as guides.

Kandia said he hoped that those in charge at HPI Bali are not too hasty in their desire to lower the educational requirements for guides. He feels that those desiring of becoming guides should fist seek a college degree (D-3). The higher academic qualification, he believes, will result in a higher quality of tour guide.

He went on to state that the Provincial Regulation No. 5 of 2008 that stipulates a minimum D-3 degree for licensed guides is entirely appropriate.

Nyoman Kandia warned that those in charge at HPI should not arbitrarily lower educational requirements for professional guides in Bali. He continued, warning that HPI should not succumb to pressure from high school students who want to be guides in considering whether or not to change entry requirements.

He called on the authorities to clean up the data on those qualified to work as a licensed guide as a first step to deal with any perceived shortage of qualified guides in Bali.

Kandia said the requirement of a D-3 college degree should be retained for guides in Bali and that there a sufficient guides available in Bali without having to resort to recruiting high school leavers.