PGRI denies coercing members over politics
PGRI denies coercing members over politics
JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Indonesian Teachers'
Association, Basyuni Suriamihardja, yesterday refuted allegations
that it coerces its members into supporting the ruling political
organization, Golkar.
Basyuni insisted the association had no political affiliations
and that its 1.4 million members were free to choose any
political party they liked.
"So far we have never heard association members complain about
having lost their political freedom," he told a press conference
on the 1994 International and National Teachers' Day, which falls
on Nov. 25.
He dismissed allegations that teachers could not hope for
their careers to develop if they supported the United Development
Party or the Indonesian Democratic Party.
Critics often laughingly describe the association as an
organization which is in the spotlight only twice every five
years; when its members go down the street during election
campaigns to support Golkar and when it holds its annual
congress.
Basyuni said that although members were free to choose their
political affiliation, they had agreed in a congress to channel
their aspirations through Golkar.
This decision, he said, aims to secure the implementation of
the guidelines of state policy.
Basyuni swore no association member was allowed to dissuade
students into accepting their political beliefs.
"It is against teachers' ethical codes... But teachers can,
and are in fact compelled, to explain good and right behavior, so
students, by their own moral judgment, can make the good and
right choices," Basyuni said.
Established on Nov. 25, 1945, the Indonesian Teachers'
Association's ambition is to strengthen national education and
fight for the betterment of teachers' welfare.
Some 1.4 million of Indonesia's 1.7 million teachers have
become members. Membership is made on a voluntary basis.
Commenting on teachers' welfare, Basyuni said there had been
"significant improvement" over the last few years, thanks to the
association's efforts to improve the remuneration system of its
members.
Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro, also
present at the press conference, promised that the government
would continue to improve the welfare of teachers, despite the
limited state budget and facilities.
Teachers' debts
In Semarang, Central Java, the Antara news agency reported
that many of the association's members, most of whom worked in
the province's rural areas, are trapped in debts.
Chairman of the association's Central Java chapter, Karseno,
said these teachers needed money to make ends meet. Some teachers
are simply unaware that they earned a small salary and are overly
consumptive, he said.
"Many of the association's members have difficulty paying
their debts because the interest rates are very high, some
reaching 12 percent a month," he said, adding that the teachers
had no other choice than to turn to loan sharks.
This year International Teachers' Day, which falls on Oct. 5,
will also be commemorated on Nov. 25, Basyuni said.
Celebrations will include an official ceremony attended by
President Soeharto, as well as seminars and creativity contests
for teachers.(pwn)
JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Indonesian Teachers'
Association, Basyuni Suriamihardja, yesterday refuted allegations
that it coerces its members into supporting the ruling political
organization, Golkar.
Basyuni insisted the association had no political affiliations
and that its 1.4 million members were free to choose any
political party they liked.
"So far we have never heard association members complain about
having lost their political freedom," he told a press conference
on the 1994 International and National Teachers' Day, which falls
on Nov. 25.
He dismissed allegations that teachers could not hope for
their careers to develop if they supported the United Development
Party or the Indonesian Democratic Party.
Critics often laughingly describe the association as an
organization which is in the spotlight only twice every five
years; when its members go down the street during election
campaigns to support Golkar and when it holds its annual
congress.
Basyuni said that although members were free to choose their
political affiliation, they had agreed in a congress to channel
their aspirations through Golkar.
This decision, he said, aims to secure the implementation of
the guidelines of state policy.
Basyuni swore no association member was allowed to dissuade
students into accepting their political beliefs.
"It is against teachers' ethical codes... But teachers can,
and are in fact compelled, to explain good and right behavior, so
students, by their own moral judgment, can make the good and
right choices," Basyuni said.
Established on Nov. 25, 1945, the Indonesian Teachers'
Association's ambition is to strengthen national education and
fight for the betterment of teachers' welfare.
Some 1.4 million of Indonesia's 1.7 million teachers have
become members. Membership is made on a voluntary basis.
Commenting on teachers' welfare, Basyuni said there had been
"significant improvement" over the last few years, thanks to the
association's efforts to improve the remuneration system of its
members.
Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro, also
present at the press conference, promised that the government
would continue to improve the welfare of teachers, despite the
limited state budget and facilities.
Teachers' debts
In Semarang, Central Java, the Antara news agency reported
that many of the association's members, most of whom worked in
the province's rural areas, are trapped in debts.
Chairman of the association's Central Java chapter, Karseno,
said these teachers needed money to make ends meet. Some teachers
are simply unaware that they earned a small salary and are overly
consumptive, he said.
"Many of the association's members have difficulty paying
their debts because the interest rates are very high, some
reaching 12 percent a month," he said, adding that the teachers
had no other choice than to turn to loan sharks.
This year International Teachers' Day, which falls on Oct. 5,
will also be commemorated on Nov. 25, Basyuni said.
Celebrations will include an official ceremony attended by
President Soeharto, as well as seminars and creativity contests
for teachers.(pwn)