Parents protest teacher layoff

JAKARTA: Dozens of parents of pupils at Al Azhar school in Kemang, South Jakarta, demonstrated on Tuesday against the laying off of 11 teachers, along with some remaining school teachers who have also gone on strike.

The teachers were laid off for demanding a salary hike, according to Eni, one of the protesters.

A teacher who had taught at the school for 12 years received Rp 800,000 a month, while each student pays an average of Rp 250,000 in school fees a month, Antara reported.

There are about 60 teachers in total at Al Azhar kindergarten, elementary school, junior high school and senior high school, which is owned by the Shita Budi foundation.

Several students also joined the protest with posters saying: "I want my teachers back", "We love our teachers" and "Give back our teachers". --JP