PGRI Appreciates Prabowo's Acknowledgment, Hopes for Teacher Salary Increase
President Prabowo Subianto has acknowledged that teacher and civil servant salaries are poor because state funds are continuously stolen by irresponsible parties. Chairwoman of the Executive Board of the Indonesian Teachers Association (PB PGRI), Unifah Rosyidi, appreciated Prabowo’s admission.
“Thank you if the President admits that teachers are lacking, because the reality is that it is very lacking. So thank you for his frankness and we hope that education governance, efficiency, and so on are used to improve teacher welfare,” Unifah said when contacted on Thursday (25/6/2026).
She stressed that teacher welfare has long been a concern for PGRI. She hopes the government will increase teacher salaries.
“Teacher welfare, professionalism, and protection are PGRI’s concerns. So, with the current modest conditions of teachers, it is hoped that their quality and welfare can be improved over time,” she said.
Unifah stated that teachers are not making excessive demands regarding welfare. She also hopes for a salary standard for teachers.
“We are not selfish. A minimum of one month’s base salary and a minimum salary standard for teachers would be a joy for us because we understand the country is also facing various challenges. So if there is a regional minimum wage, there should also be a minimum salary income,” she said.
Regarding the amount of increase, she said that 100 percent of the base salary would be good for teachers. However, she acknowledged that this standard is still insufficient for teachers.
“At what figure? At least 100 percent, a minimum of 100 percent of the base salary is the least. Even though it is not enough, with such a standardisation, our colleagues do not expect too much, because we know that for teachers, professionalism and dedication are two things that cannot be separated,” she said.
Nevertheless, Unifah emphasised that teachers are not overly ambitious about salary issues. She noted that one month’s base salary is already regulated in the Law on Teachers and Lecturers.
“The draft stipulates a minimum of one month’s base salary for teachers, which at the very least must be implemented,” she added.
She also urged the government to pay attention to honorary teachers and Government Employees with Work Agreements (PPPK). She hopes they can soon become civil servants (PNS).
“So that they do not have to worry about their stomachs while working, or the minimum needs of their families. At least they can work calmly and educate properly, that is the hope. We are not being excessive, we understand that the country has many focus priorities, but sacrificing the salaries of education personnel, teachers, and lecturers is very unwise,” she said.
President Prabowo Subianto previously stated that leakage of state wealth greatly impacts the state budget. He admitted that teacher and civil servant salaries are still poor because state funds are continuously stolen by irresponsible parties.
Prabowo conveyed this while attending the closing ceremony of the Alim Ulama National Conference and the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Grand Conference at IAI Syaichona Mohammad Cholil, Bangkalan Regency, East Java, on Tuesday (23/6).
“I want to convey in this forum because I want you, NU brothers and sisters, as leaders, as ulama, as teachers, as guides of the people, to understand why teacher salaries cannot be good, why civil servant salaries cannot be good, why the budget is always insufficient, yes, because the money is not there, it is continuously stolen, brothers and sisters,” Prabowo said.