Bali teachers stage silent protest<\/p>\n
DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Hundreds of teachers and members of the
\nBali chapter of Indonesian Teachers Union (PGRI) staged a street
\ndemonstration here on Friday urging the government to take
\nconcrete steps in improving the welfare of the nation's teachers.<\/p>\n
Unlike the noisy protests by teachers in other cities over the
\npast week, the demonstration in Denpasar was one of silence. As
\nthey marched to the Bali Legislative Council, the teachers --
\ndressed in their PGRI uniforms -- did so without uttering a
\nsound.<\/p>\n
\"Our actions are different from the others. Because Bali is a
\nmajor tourist destination, we prefer the use of silence,\" PGRI
\nBali chairman I Gusti Lanang Jelantik said.<\/p>\n
\"We guarantee the protest has not affected classes. Each
\nschool has sent only one delegate,\" he said after a dialog with
\ncouncil members to discuss their demand for higher salaries.<\/p>\n
The PGRI chapter in Bali boasts 42,000 members.<\/p>\n
There have been similar protests elsewhere in Indonesia in the
\npast week, all calling for an increase in salary. In some
\nregions, teachers have threatened to go on strike or boycott the
\nfinal national school examinations which will begin next month.<\/p>\n
In contrast to the silent protest, the dialog was far from
\npeaceful, with teachers talking down a council member who was
\nmaking a long-winded speech.<\/p>\n
\"We are fed up with empty promises and pointless flattery. We
\nhave been a political commodity for decades and we now want the
\ngovernment to take serious steps to make our lives better,\" said
\na teacher.<\/p>\n
The teachers demanded a 100 percent increase in their monthly
\nsalaries and a 300 to 400 percent increase in functional
\nallowances.<\/p>\n
In Semarang, 20 members of the Committee for Teachers' Welfare
\n(KP2KG), marched to the Central Java Legislative Council calling
\non its support for teachers who want remunerations.<\/p>\n
\"We come from all parts of Central Java to represent our
\n250,000 colleagues. We support the teachers' struggle for a
\nbetter life,\" committee chairman Taruna said.<\/p>\n
He warned that the committee would bring thousands of teachers
\nto the streets if the government failed to heed its demands.<\/p>\n
In Bandung, more than 100 students of the teacher training
\nUniversity of Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI) marched to the West Java
\nlegislative council demanding that the government overhaul the
\nnation's educational system.<\/p>\n
The student spokesman Wasmin stated that education could be
\nimproved if the government allocated more money, including
\nraising the salaries of teachers.<\/p>\n
\"Teachers deserve better wages. It will prevent them from
\nhaving to do other kinds of work to make ends meet,\" Wasmin said.
\n(zen\/har\/25\/sur)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bali-teachers-stage-silent-protest-1447893297",
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