What they say about teachers<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The life of an Indonesian teacher is one of
\nIndonesia's great ironies. On the one hand they are respected and
\ncalled \"heroes without medals\". At the same time many of them
\nstruggle to make ends meet on their meager salaries, made even
\nlower by numerous levies. Those working in remote areas have to
\ndeal with late salary payments, which can often take months to
\nreceive. Is it fair to expect teachers to shoulder the
\nresponsibility of educating the nation's young given their unfair
\nfinancial situation? The Jakarta Post explores the issue as we
\ncommemorate National Teachers Day today in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Hotman Siahaan, a sociologist from University of Airlangga,
\nSurabaya: In the social context, teachers are respected but not
\nin the structural context. They are poorly paid, with payment
\nsometimes being overdue. Teachers often don't receive full
\npayment because levies are subtracted. Teachers deserve more.<\/p>\n
Teachers cannot fully play their social role because of this
\nproblem. They have to work hard to make both ends meet so they
\ngive private lessons or teach in other schools. This affects the
\nquality of education and it is the people who will suffer.<\/p>\n
Students whose families are financially better off will
\nreceive better education which may lead to an \"education gap\".<\/p>\n
Teachers are expected to serve but let's be realistic.<\/p>\n
As a dosen (instructor in college or university), I can only
\nlive for a week with my monthly salary. I have to generate income
\nfrom other sources so I write articles for publication.<\/p>\n
I became a dosen because it was my choice in life. I like the
\nintellectual challenge. Economically I don't get enough, but as
\ncompensation, I can develop my capacity for intellectual and
\ncritical thinking.<\/p>\n
I hope teachers will become better paid. But until the
\neducation budget is increased, how can I hope for much?<\/p>\n
Marlis, 17, a student of SMA Theresia Catholic high school in
\nCentral Jakarta: I hate teachers. They are mean. They can become
\nfurious because of a trivial mistake. Their reactions can be all
\nout of proportion. There are some good teachers, but there are
\nmore teachers who are mean. I have a favorite teacher who is
\nnever angry even if the students are bad ... But if a teacher
\ngets mad because the students are naughty, well, I think that is
\nfair enough.<\/p>\n
Even though I don't like teachers, I must admit that they play
\nan important role in education.<\/p>\n
I take pity on them because their salary is too small compared
\nwith their responsibilities, but there's nothing I can do about
\nit.<\/p>\n
By the way, last year I failed to pass into the third grade.<\/p>\n
Verdy Thaib, 16, a student of SMA III state-run high school
\nCentral Jakarta: Teachers should not only give students
\nknowledge, they should also be able to motivate students to think
\nabout their future. Teachers represent our parents at school.
\nThey have a hard job. Academic skills alone are not enough.
\nTeachers should give the students attention and love, they should
\nbecome our parents and friends.<\/p>\n
I don't find many teachers like that -- teachers who can make
\nfriends with the students.<\/p>\n
I would not be surprised if some teachers had side jobs, like
\ngiving private lessons, or if they receive bribes because they
\ncan't make ends meet. They aren't sufficiently rewarded for their
\nservices. There are teachers who have been in the profession for
\ndecades but earn very little.<\/p>\n
There is an old saying: 'Guru Kencing Berdiri Murid Kencing
\nBerlari' (meaning students follow what teachers do). But I think
\ntoday many students do not think that way and in Jakarta it is
\noften difficult to control students.<\/p>\n
But without teachers, we are nothing.<\/p>\n
To show our respect to teachers, we students should give more
\nattention to the lessons, study hard and cause less trouble.<\/p>\n
Mien Uno, director of John Robert Powers School of Personal
\nDevelopment: My father was a high school teacher (1941 to 1965).
\nI remember when I recently met Pak Sudomo and Pak Rudini
\n(respectively the head of Supreme Advisory Council and a former
\nminister of home affairs) who are both my father's former
\nstudents, they said: \"Here is my teacher's daughter.\"<\/p>\n
Teachers used to be highly respected and a close relationship
\nexisted between students and teachers. I remember when I was a
\nkid, my father's students often came to the house and brought us
\nfood.<\/p>\n
In the past, teachers showed more discipline, consistency and
\nresponsibility. They would not accept bribes. Now, there is more
\ndemand for material things, which can affect teachers' idealism.<\/p>\n
We still have good teachers but most of them are not known to
\nthe public. Good teachers are those who can transfer knowledge
\nclearly in a convincing and interesting way. They should be able
\nto teach, not preach, because people do not like being preached
\nto. They should have good ethics, too.<\/p>\n
Even though they earn little money, good teachers will not
\nhave any financial problems. Students will ask to have private
\nlessons. They can make more money from moonlighting or side jobs.
\nBut they have to maintain the quality of their main job.<\/p>\n
My younger brother, Arief Rachman is a good teacher and people
\nalways come to him.<\/p>\n
I used to teach in an elementary school and high schools. I am
\nstill a teacher. I enjoy teaching.<\/p>\n
Handjojo Putro, a member of the House of Representatives:
\nThere is a difference between teachers in the past and teachers
\ntoday. Teachers used to teach and educate. Now teachers only
\nteach. They give students knowledge, but they do not really
\n\"educate\" them about morality, ethics or codes of conduct. No
\nwonder many students are difficult to control.<\/p>\n
Teachers used to give more attention to the students. When I
\nwas a kid, if I did not go to school for two days, the teacher
\nwould come to my house. Not now. They don't really care.<\/p>\n
The teaching of codes of conducts is crucial, especially for
\nprimary school students. I don't really know why they do not give
\nmore attention to this. Maybe it is the education system or the
\nteachers as individuals who fail to do so.<\/p>\n
The quality of education has something to do with the
\nteachers' wellbeing. I don't blame teachers. They earn so little
\nthat they cannot fulfill their basic needs.<\/p>\n
If conditions do not change, it will be dangerous. The
\nstudents might be of a high intellectual standard but they will
\nnot have good codes of conducts. (14\/sim)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/what-they-say-about-teachers-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}