PGRI must retain independence, fight for members' interest: Habibie<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The failure of an association of teachers to
\naddress members' interests because it has been busy serving the
\ninterests of those in power was highlighted on Wednesday in
\nevents to mark National Teachers' Day.<\/p>\n
Addressing a gathering to mark the 53rd anniversary of
\nteachers' day and the opening of the 18th Congress of the
\nAssociation of Indonesian Teachers (PGRI) at the State Palace,
\nPresident B.J. Habibie said the association should fight to
\nretain its independence.<\/p>\n
\"It should not become a device to serve the interests of
\ncertain groups, including its executive board members,\" he said.
\nThe association, set up on Nov. 25, 1945, has frequently been
\nbranded a tool of the dominant Golkar grouping.<\/p>\n
\"We should not see teachers looking for other associations to
\nfight for their welfare just because PGRI has failed to do so,\"
\nhe said. Teachers have repeatedly complained of being underpaid,
\nand of wages being cut and arriving late.<\/p>\n
Habibie said that teachers should move with the times and
\nlearn how to guide discussions and debates in the classroom.<\/p>\n
\"Today's teachers should not be discouraged by the new
\nsituation, but on the contrary should be proud of the new
\ngeneration, who are more intelligent, more open and more liberal
\nin expressing their opinions and ideas,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said that teachers should tell their students about the
\nnation's problems so that they are \"prompted to think of
\nsolutions.\"<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, 500 students from the Jakarta Teacher Training
\nCollege (IKIP Jakarta) demonstrated outside the Ministry of
\nEducation and Culture on Jl. Jend. Sudirman to demand reforms to
\nthe Indonesian education system.<\/p>\n
They also demanded a 30 percent increase in the state
\neducation budget and the disbanding of the PGRI, which they said
\nhad failed to fight for the welfare and aspirations of Indonesian
\nteachers.<\/p>\n
The banners and posters they carried included those which
\nread: \"New Order Regime Tortures Education\" and \"My Lovely
\nTeachers, My Poor Teachers.\"<\/p>\n
At 5:10 p.m. Minister of Education and Culture Juwono
\nSudarsono and Directorate General for Elementary and Secondary
\nEducation Indrajati Sidimet met with student representatives and
\nIKIP Jakarta Rector Soetjipto for about one hour.<\/p>\n
Juwono said his ministry proposed budgetary increases every
\nyear, adding: \"But it is up to the National Development Planning
\nBoard and the Ministry of Finance to decide whether to accept our
\nproposals.\" (prb\/edt\/imn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pgri-must-retain-independence-fight-for-members-interest-habibie-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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