Govt to improve welfare of teachers

Govt to improve welfare of teachers

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto has assured teachers that the
government will continue to improve their welfare, allowing them
to fully concentrate on educating.

Speaking at a ceremony commemorating the 1994 International
and National Teachers Day at the State Palace yesterday, Soeharto
said improvements would be made not only in material aspects but
in career development, legal assurance and other non-physical
aspects.

"Teachers now have a functional status, meaning that those who
show outstanding achievements can earn faster promotions," he
said.

"They can also reach the highest level possible in the career
of a civil servant," he added, citing an example of one current
teachers.

The President said the 1989 law on the national education
system guarantees legal assurance for teachers.

Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro in his
speech said the law also guarantees teachers a certain amount of
income and social services, a career path conforming with their
achievement at work and a right to use education facilities and
infrastructure to accomplish their work.

Despite these stimulations, teachers are still among the most
low-paid civil servants in the country and many of them often
have no choice but to moonlight to make ends meet.

Teachers in the country's remote places are complaining about
the government's failure to keep its promise of rendering a
special subsidy in compensation for their off-beat teaching
places.

This year, International Teachers Day, which falls on Oct. 5,
was commemorated together with the 49th anniversary of National
Teachers Day which falls on Nov. 25. (pwn)