Approval sought to hike teachers' benefits<\/p>\n
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The government is seeking approval from the House of
\nRepresentatives (DPR) to increase teachers' benefits by 50
\npercent this year, a report said.<\/p>\n
Speaking after a meeting on education issues at the State
\nPalace on Friday, Coordinating Minister for the People's Welfare
\nJusuf Kalla said the government had extra funds for the increase.<\/p>\n
\"We need to secure the House's approval as the state budget
\nwill change. But the increase would take effect as soon as the
\nproposal is approved,\" Jusuf said.<\/p>\n
Previously, President Megawati Soekarnoputri had promised to
\nincrease teachers' benefits starting from the beginning of this
\nyear, but the plan was delayed due to the country's financial
\nsituation.<\/p>\n
The government was wanting to begin the increase starting from
\nAugust this year, but it will need another Rp 722 billion
\n(US$80.2 million) from the state budget.<\/p>\n
\"However, we have to delay the plan for awhile because the
\nHouse is in recess. We will submit the proposal at the next
\nsitting,\" Jusuf said.<\/p>\n
The House is slated to end the recess on Aug. 16, after the
\nPeople's Consultative Assembly wraps up its Annual Session.<\/p>\n
With the increase, teachers will receive at least
\nRp 170,000 per month in their benefits, which will improve their
\nsalary.<\/p>\n
The welfare of teachers has always been an issue, and poor
\ntreatment has forced teachers to take to the streets for better
\npay.<\/p>\n
Although the government has vowed to make education the
\ncountry's top priority, the plan to increase teachers' benefits
\nhas undergone a lot of trouble, unlike the deliberation to
\nincrease the defense budget.<\/p>\n
The House has just approved Rp 1 trillion in additional funds
\nfor the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police,
\nwithout any problems.<\/p>\n
There are about 1.7 million teachers in the country and the 50
\npercent increase in their benefits will require Rp 1.7 trillion
\nin funds from the state budget.<\/p>\n
Civil servants have always received less attention from the
\ngovernment and some temporary elementary school teachers take
\nhome a monthly salary of only Rp 150,000.<\/p>\n
Jusuf said the government had some additional funds returned
\nto the state budget by several ministries and state agencies.<\/p>\n
\"That is why we need to ask the House whether we can use that
\nmoney for the teachers,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/approval-sought-to-hike-teachers-benefits-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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