Restore teachers' dignity, Soeharto tells the nation<\/p>\n
SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): President Soeharto urged the
\nnation yesterday to restore the respect and dignity that teachers
\nonce commanded in society.<\/p>\n
Speaking during a commemoration of National Teachers Day,
\nSoeharto said most young people now shun the profession because
\nof the low pay associated with teaching jobs.<\/p>\n
\"Many of our young people do not see teaching as the respected
\nprofession that it once was,\" Soeharto said at the ceremony, held
\nat the Sriwedari sports stadium and attended by more than 20,000
\nteachers from all over the country.<\/p>\n
The occasion also marked the 50th anniversary of the
\nIndonesian Teachers Association, which boasts more than 1.6
\nmillion members.<\/p>\n
\"If teachers are given a respected place in the hearts of the
\npeople and if teachers receive good salaries, then young people
\nare bound to be attracted to the profession,\" Soeharto said.<\/p>\n
He said society should think up of ways of showing their
\nappreciation for teachers, particularly by raising their living
\nstandards.<\/p>\n
The government -- the single largest employer of teachers --
\ncannot be expected to carry this out alone, Soeharto said, adding
\nthat parents, and society as a whole, should contribute.<\/p>\n
The government has already provided additional allowances for
\nits teachers on top of those received by fellow civil servants.
\nThere are also financial incentives for teachers working in
\nremote villages.<\/p>\n
But overall, officials admit that teaching salaries are among
\nthe lowest of fixed income earners. It is common for teachers to
\ntake on a second or third job to make ends meet.<\/p>\n
Soeharto said most people take up the teaching profession
\n\"because of a call of duty and a call from the heart\".<\/p>\n
But even so, society must provide them with proper
\nremuneration. \"With good incomes, teachers could devote all their
\nattention to their pupils.\"<\/p>\n
Turning his attention to the pupils, he urged them to give
\nteachers their highest respect.<\/p>\n
\"Teachers are like a torch that provides light and guidance in
\nyour life. They dedicate themselves for your advancement and for
\nyour future.<\/p>\n
\"Quite a few of your teachers lead simple and modest lives ...
\nIf you succeed later in life, your teachers will continue to be
\nsimple and modest people. The services your teachers render for
\nyour future is something that you can never pay back.\"<\/p>\n
Soeharto reminded those who work in the education sector that
\neducation means a lot more than simply teaching or conveying
\nknowledge.<\/p>\n
The aim of education in Indonesia goes beyond \"producing
\nintelligent people,\" he said. \"Education is intended to form the
\ncharacter of children that truly reflects the identity of the
\nnation, he said.<\/p>\n
Among those present at the ceremony were the chief
\nrepresentative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
\nCultural Organization Stephen Hill, Minister of Education and
\nCulture Wardiman Djojonegoro, PGRI Chairman Basyuni Suriamihardja
\nand Central Java Governor Soewardi.<\/p>\n
Hill said in his speech that the challenge facing Indonesian
\nteachers is to prepare their students to face a fiercely
\ncompetitive world.<\/p>\n
\"This condition certainly needs qualified and reliable
\nstudents, especially in their education, skills and moral
\nintegrity,\" Hill said.<\/p>\n
Basyuni said PGRI has long fought to improve teacher wages.
\n\"But because of the government's budgetary constraints, we
\nteachers have to be patient,\" he said. (har\/31)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/restore-teachers-dignity-soeharto-tells-the-nation-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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