JPPI Calls for Roadmap to Resolve Status of Honorary Teachers
The Indonesian Education Monitoring Network (JPPI) assesses that the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education’s Circular No. 7 of 2026 on the arrangement of non-civil servant teachers does not provide certainty regarding the fate of honorary teachers. The restriction on the assignment of non-ASN teachers until 31 December 2026 is instead seen as creating new uncertainties.
JPPI National Coordinator Ubaid Matraji describes the circular as a “time bomb” wrapped in diplomatic language. According to him, the government is still using an administrative approach rather than ensuring the fulfilment of rights and welfare for non-ASN teachers.
The limitation on working periods without certainty of automatic appointment as ASN or government employees with work agreements (PPPK) leaves the fate of hundreds of thousands of honorary teachers hanging by a thread. “This is not a permanent solution, but merely delaying the problem or postponing execution,” said Ubaid in a written statement on Friday, 8 May 2026.
In addition to the status issue, JPPI highlights the lack of welfare guarantees during the transition period until the end of 2026. The organisation urges the government to set a minimum wage standard for non-ASN teachers, as many honorary teachers in public schools still receive salaries below decent standards.
JPPI also warns of the potential for local governments to reduce non-ASN teaching staff before the deadline expires. According to Ubaid, regions reluctant to bear the fiscal burden could carry out a “clean-up” of honorary teachers under the pretext of budget efficiency if there is no strict oversight from the central government.
Further criticism is directed at the absence of a clear scheme after 2026. JPPI assesses that the government lacks a mature roadmap for resolving the status of non-ASN teachers, including budget synchronisation between the central and local governments.
As a solution, JPPI proposes that the government guarantee no non-ASN teachers will have their contracts terminated until December 2026 and ensure they receive decent wages in line with the regional minimum wage. The central government is also asked to provide General Allocation Funds that are specifically locked for paying salaries of PPPK and ASN teachers in the regions.
JPPI further proposes special appointment pathways for non-ASN teachers who have served for more than five to ten years in public schools without formal tests that are deemed burdensome. “Their dedication is real proof of competence,” said Ubaid.
Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti stated that the ban on honorary teachers teaching from 30 December 2026 aims to provide certainty of status and welfare to teachers. The ban is stipulated in the Minister’s Circular No. 7 of 2026 on the Assignment of Non-Civil Servant Teachers (ASN) in Educational Units, issued on 23 March 2026.
Mu’ti explained that the decision is a follow-up to the implementation of the 2023 ASN Law, which prohibits honorary or non-ASN personnel from teaching in public schools. According to Mu’ti, the decision should have been implemented in 2024. However, due to the many unresolved honorary issues, the minister’s decision prohibiting non-ASN teachers from teaching in public schools will only apply in 2027.
“So that is actually a consequence of the implementation of the ASN Law which should have applied in 2024,” said Mu’ti during a press conference at the Government Communication Agency (Bakom) Office in Jakarta on Wednesday, 6 May 2026.