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)