MP: Prosperous Teachers Deliver Quality Education

Jakarta - A member of the Indonesian House of Representatives Commission X, Juliyatmono, has emphasised the importance of fulfilling teachers’ welfare as a strategic step in improving the quality of national education. He stressed that teaching is a strategic profession in nation-building and holds a highly noble role. Therefore, in his view, teachers’ welfare must be improved so they can work in a focused and professional manner. “Teaching is the noblest profession in the world. Ideally, to maintain professionalism and focus, teachers’ income should be around Rp40 million,” Juliyatmono stated in his remarks in Jakarta on Thursday. This was conveyed during a General Hearing Meeting (RDPU) of Commission X of the House of Representatives with the Indonesian Psychological Association and the Banten Teachers’ Forum (FGB) at the Parliament Building in Senayan, Jakarta. In the forum, Juliyatmono expressed appreciation to the Indonesian Psychological Association and the Banten Teachers’ Forum for various inputs regarding teacher arrangements, from distribution, welfare, protection, to improving the quality of educators. On that occasion, Juliyatmono also shared his experiences while serving as the Head of Karanganyar Regency for 10 years. He revealed that he had appointed around 1,300 government employees with work agreements (PPPK) as teachers. However, that policy faced challenges because the salary financing, initially promised by the central government, was instead burdened on the Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD). The regional government at that time, he said, had to allocate around Rp80 billion from the APBD over five years, and the policy still ran well. Based on data from the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen), the allocation for teachers’ welfare continues to increase, namely Rp175.7 trillion in 2024, Rp203.6 trillion in 2025, and Rp211.4 trillion in 2026. This increase covers salaries for ASN teachers, ASN allowances such as the Teacher Professional Allowance (TPG), Teacher Performance Allowance (TKG), and other additional income. In addition, the government has allocated more than Rp14 trillion for non-ASN teacher allowances. Starting in 2026, incentives for non-ASN teachers will increase from Rp300,000 to Rp400,000 per month, while TPG for certified non-ASN teachers is set at Rp2 million per month. He encouraged teachers who are not yet in line to participate in the Teacher Professional Education (PPG) programme and certification. He also proposed that psychology graduates without teaching certificates be given opportunities to undergo certification, so they can be recognised as professional educators. This is considered important to strengthen psychological approaches in education, particularly in child protection. In addition, he emphasised the importance of the role of Teacher Training Faculties in producing quality educators supported by strengthened regulations in the new law. Juliyatmono hopes that through collaboration among various parties, the national education system can continue to be improved and able to address future challenges.