78 Local Governments Unable to Pay PPPK Teachers' Salaries, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education Steps In
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Dozens of local governments that applied have stated their inability to pay salaries for part-time Pegawai Pemerintah dengan Perjanjian Kerja (PPPK) teachers. This is evident from the numerous applications for relief or relaxation submitted to the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.
Previously, the government issued Law Number 20 of 2023 on Civil Servants (ASN), which mandates the restructuring of non-ASN employees. Under this regulation, the government has stipulated the elimination of honorary or non-ASN personnel across all government agencies. The implementation of this rule has been postponed from 2024 to 2027.
The government has also established part-time PPPK status for non-ASN teachers who did not pass the PPPK exam, allowing them to continue teaching. Their salaries are borne by the local governments.
However, according to the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu’ti, some regions are beginning to struggle with covering these salaries.
“Well, some local governments are able to provide salaries, while others are starting to face difficulties,” said Abdul Mu’ti at the Government Communication Agency office on Wednesday (6/5/2026).
To address this issue, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education is covering the salaries of non-ASN teachers in several regions. However, according to Mu’ti, more and more regions are now applying for inability to pay.
“Now there are many that have applied, and the number of regions seeking policy from the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education regarding part-time PPPK teachers continues to increase,” he explained.
Salaries for part-time PPPK teachers are indeed the responsibility of local governments through the Regional Budget (APBD). However, through Circular Letter of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education Number 6/2026, a financing relaxation policy has been provided for teachers and education personnel appointed as part-time PPPK via the School Operational Assistance (BOSP) only for this year, 2026.
On that occasion, the Director General of Early Childhood Education, Basic Education, and Non-Formal and Informal Education of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Gogot Suharwoto, explained that 78 cities/regencies and provinces have already been granted relaxation or are experiencing difficulties in fulfilling the part-time PPPK honorarium in educational units.
“This is only in public schools; based on the incoming data that has been approved, there are 78 regencies, cities, and provinces,” said Gogot.
The fate of non-ASN teachers is becoming increasingly uncertain. According to the ASN Law, the status of part-time PPPK teachers is only guaranteed by the state until 31 December 2026. To date, there is still no further clarity on this matter.
“You can ask Mrs. Menpanrb about that,” said Abdul Mu’ti when asked by reporters. However, he signalled that there would be changes in the teacher recruitment scheme next year.
“Well, for now, we make decisions until 31 December; after that, we don’t know yet, we’ll wait, because there is likely to be a change in the teacher recruitment scheme in 2027. The scheme may change,” he added.