Approval sought to hike teachers' benefits

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The government is seeking approval from the House of Representatives (DPR) to increase teachers' benefits by 50 percent this year, a report said.

Speaking after a meeting on education issues at the State Palace on Friday, Coordinating Minister for the People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla said the government had extra funds for the increase.

"We need to secure the House's approval as the state budget will change. But the increase would take effect as soon as the proposal is approved," Jusuf said.

Previously, President Megawati Soekarnoputri had promised to increase teachers' benefits starting from the beginning of this year, but the plan was delayed due to the country's financial situation.

The government was wanting to begin the increase starting from August this year, but it will need another Rp 722 billion (US$80.2 million) from the state budget.

"However, we have to delay the plan for awhile because the House is in recess. We will submit the proposal at the next sitting," Jusuf said.

The House is slated to end the recess on Aug. 16, after the People's Consultative Assembly wraps up its Annual Session.

With the increase, teachers will receive at least Rp 170,000 per month in their benefits, which will improve their salary.

The welfare of teachers has always been an issue, and poor treatment has forced teachers to take to the streets for better pay.

Although the government has vowed to make education the country's top priority, the plan to increase teachers' benefits has undergone a lot of trouble, unlike the deliberation to increase the defense budget.

The House has just approved Rp 1 trillion in additional funds for the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police, without any problems.

There are about 1.7 million teachers in the country and the 50 percent increase in their benefits will require Rp 1.7 trillion in funds from the state budget.

Civil servants have always received less attention from the government and some temporary elementary school teachers take home a monthly salary of only Rp 150,000.

Jusuf said the government had some additional funds returned to the state budget by several ministries and state agencies.

"That is why we need to ask the House whether we can use that money for the teachers," he said.