Approval sought to hike teachers' benefits

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.