'Teachers should upgrade quality'<\/p>\n
Teachers have a vital role in building the nation although they
\nare poorly paid and their welfare has long been neglected. To
\ncommemorate the first-ever Teacher's Day on Nov. 25, The Jakarta
\nPost interviewed two Jakartans about what needed to be done to
\nimprove the quality of education.<\/p>\n
Elliana Arisanti, 28, is a public relations consultant in
\nSouth Jakarta. She lives in Cilandak, South Jakarta:<\/p>\n
If you want to improve a teacher's professionalism I guess you
\nneed to first look into their motivation for becoming a teacher.
\nIs it because of a love of teaching, a dream of nurturing the
\nminds of future generations, or simply because there weren't any
\nother jobs available?<\/p>\n
When the answer is love, I doubt that money of any value would
\naffect the quality of the teacher.<\/p>\n
But of course you can't ignore teachers' welfare altogether.
\nIt's a given that people can focus more on what they love doing
\nwhen they don't have to worry about their stomachs.<\/p>\n
Tatang Mochtar, 35, is a legal officer at a foreign company in
\nJakarta. He lives with his wife and children in Pondok Indah,
\nSouth Jakarta:<\/p>\n
In this global society, I think we need qualified teachers to
\nteach our children. They should be able to speak English as well
\nas Indonesian so they can convey their lessons in English. With
\nthis qualification, the school should pay them highly.<\/p>\n
That's why I am not surprised that many schools are now
\nrequiring their teachers to be able to teach in English. Many
\nschools are also willing to hire foreign teachers with monthly
\nsalaries of thousands of dollars.<\/p>\n
If our local teachers do not improve their skills then they
\nwill be replaced by foreign teachers not only from developed
\ncountries like the U.S. or Australia but also from developing
\ncountries like the Philippines, India, or even Malaysia.<\/p>\n
-- The Jakarta Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/teachers-should-upgrade-quality-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }