PGRI denies coercing members over politics<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Indonesian Teachers'
\nAssociation, Basyuni Suriamihardja, yesterday refuted allegations
\nthat it coerces its members into supporting the ruling political
\norganization, Golkar.<\/p>\n
Basyuni insisted the association had no political affiliations
\nand that its 1.4 million members were free to choose any
\npolitical party they liked.<\/p>\n
"So far we have never heard association members complain about
\nhaving lost their political freedom," he told a press conference
\non the 1994 International and National Teachers' Day, which falls
\non Nov. 25.<\/p>\n
He dismissed allegations that teachers could not hope for
\ntheir careers to develop if they supported the United Development
\nParty or the Indonesian Democratic Party.<\/p>\n
Critics often laughingly describe the association as an
\norganization which is in the spotlight only twice every five
\nyears; when its members go down the street during election
\ncampaigns to support Golkar and when it holds its annual
\ncongress.<\/p>\n
Basyuni said that although members were free to choose their
\npolitical affiliation, they had agreed in a congress to channel
\ntheir aspirations through Golkar.<\/p>\n
This decision, he said, aims to secure the implementation of
\nthe guidelines of state policy.<\/p>\n
Basyuni swore no association member was allowed to dissuade
\nstudents into accepting their political beliefs.<\/p>\n
"It is against teachers' ethical codes... But teachers can,
\nand are in fact compelled, to explain good and right behavior, so
\nstudents, by their own moral judgment, can make the good and
\nright choices," Basyuni said.<\/p>\n
Established on Nov. 25, 1945, the Indonesian Teachers'
\nAssociation's ambition is to strengthen national education and
\nfight for the betterment of teachers' welfare.<\/p>\n
Some 1.4 million of Indonesia's 1.7 million teachers have
\nbecome members. Membership is made on a voluntary basis.<\/p>\n
Commenting on teachers' welfare, Basyuni said there had been
\n"significant improvement" over the last few years, thanks to the
\nassociation's efforts to improve the remuneration system of its
\nmembers.<\/p>\n
Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro, also
\npresent at the press conference, promised that the government
\nwould continue to improve the welfare of teachers, despite the
\nlimited state budget and facilities.<\/p>\n
Teachers' debts<\/p>\n
In Semarang, Central Java, the Antara news agency reported
\nthat many of the association's members, most of whom worked in
\nthe province's rural areas, are trapped in debts.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the association's Central Java chapter, Karseno,
\nsaid these teachers needed money to make ends meet. Some teachers
\nare simply unaware that they earned a small salary and are overly
\nconsumptive, he said.<\/p>\n
"Many of the association's members have difficulty paying
\ntheir debts because the interest rates are very high, some
\nreaching 12 percent a month," he said, adding that the teachers
\nhad no other choice than to turn to loan sharks.<\/p>\n
This year International Teachers' Day, which falls on Oct. 5,
\nwill also be commemorated on Nov. 25, Basyuni said.<\/p>\n
Celebrations will include an official ceremony attended by
\nPresident Soeharto, as well as seminars and creativity contests
\nfor teachers.(pwn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pgri-denies-coercing-members-over-politics-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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