Denpasar Faces Crisis of Hindu Religion and Balinese Language Teachers
The Denpasar City Education, Youth, and Sports Office (Disdikpora) has revealed a crisis in teachers for Hindu religion and Balinese language. The Head of the Human Resources Development Division of Denpasar City Disdikpora, Ida Ayu Putu Mirah Ulantari, stated that the main factor behind this situation is the central regulation on the requirements for teacher appointments through the Government Employee with Work Agreement (PPPK) route, which requires applicants from the general public to attach a Pre-Service Teacher Certificate (PPG Prajabatan).
“Indeed, Denpasar is currently short of teachers. The requirement for a Pre-Service Teacher Certificate (PPG Prajab) is making it difficult. Because there are no S1 graduates in Hindu religion and Balinese language who have that certificate yet,” said the Head of the Human Resources Development Division of Denpasar City Disdikpora, Ida Ayu Putu Mirah Ulantari, when interviewed by detikBali on Friday (1/5/2026).
Denpasar City Disdikpora is striving for Civil Service Candidate (CPNS) formations to be directed towards fulfilling teacher needs. “We very much hope that honorary teachers will participate in this selection and that many will pass,” Ulantari added.
She mentioned that the chances of honorary teachers passing are quite high, especially since the selection requirements do not consider length of service. Therefore, Denpasar City Disdikpora hopes for full participation from honorary teachers.
Retired Teachers Become Honorary
One school facing a teacher crisis for Hindu religion is State Junior High School (SMPN) 14 Denpasar. One workaround is to involve retired religion teachers again as honorary teachers to teach.
“The religion teacher at my school, SMPN 14, just retired recently. We are still using him as an honorary teacher. Other teachers are also hard to find,” said the Principal of SMPN 14 Denpasar, I Komang Agus Ugrasena, on Thursday (30/4/2026).
Ugrasena also mentioned several other teachers scheduled to retire in 2026, from mathematics, social studies (IPS), natural sciences (IPA), to cultural arts. He highlighted the challenges in finding replacements, given the various regulations that must be followed.
Ugrasena admitted to being more concerned about the uncertainty of committee fund sources. “Now, where do we find replacements? Now, appointments are not allowed using BOS funds. So we use committee funds, but committees are not mandatory,” said Ugrasena.
“Not only teachers, we also need other staff. Previously, I needed 6 teachers, 2 administrative staff, 2 gardeners, making 10. Ideally, what is the salary in Denpasar, depending on the funds we have, assume all Rp 2 million, times 10 is 20 million, times 12, it’s quite a lot,” explained Ugrasena.
Unstable committee fund income leads to cuts in salaries for teachers and other honorary staff. SMPN 14 Denpasar is trying to maintain salary stability.
“So we usually calculate between Rp 2 million - 2.2 million. Because the honorary friends here are like family. If suddenly we don’t have extra funds, we apologise, maybe it will be reduced or there will be a cut,” clarified Ugrasena.
Ugrasena added hopes that the government can formulate policies regarding the appointment of part-time workers and the utilisation of BOS funds to support salary payments.
“So teachers are very much needed, if possible from the government to recruit PPPK again and if possible to allow the use of BOS funds for support financing. Previously, the maximum was 30 or 50 percent then it was cut to 20 percent, that’s what caused the honorary teachers to be released to the committee,” explained Ugrasena.