PGRI must retain independence, fight for members' interest: Habibie
PGRI must retain independence, fight for members' interest: Habibie
JAKARTA (JP): The failure of an association of teachers to
address members' interests because it has been busy serving the
interests of those in power was highlighted on Wednesday in
events to mark National Teachers' Day.
Addressing a gathering to mark the 53rd anniversary of
teachers' day and the opening of the 18th Congress of the
Association of Indonesian Teachers (PGRI) at the State Palace,
President B.J. Habibie said the association should fight to
retain its independence.
"It should not become a device to serve the interests of
certain groups, including its executive board members," he said.
The association, set up on Nov. 25, 1945, has frequently been
branded a tool of the dominant Golkar grouping.
"We should not see teachers looking for other associations to
fight for their welfare just because PGRI has failed to do so,"
he said. Teachers have repeatedly complained of being underpaid,
and of wages being cut and arriving late.
Habibie said that teachers should move with the times and
learn how to guide discussions and debates in the classroom.
"Today's teachers should not be discouraged by the new
situation, but on the contrary should be proud of the new
generation, who are more intelligent, more open and more liberal
in expressing their opinions and ideas," he said.
He said that teachers should tell their students about the
nation's problems so that they are "prompted to think of
solutions."
Meanwhile, 500 students from the Jakarta Teacher Training
College (IKIP Jakarta) demonstrated outside the Ministry of
Education and Culture on Jl. Jend. Sudirman to demand reforms to
the Indonesian education system.
They also demanded a 30 percent increase in the state
education budget and the disbanding of the PGRI, which they said
had failed to fight for the welfare and aspirations of Indonesian
teachers.
The banners and posters they carried included those which
read: "New Order Regime Tortures Education" and "My Lovely
Teachers, My Poor Teachers."
At 5:10 p.m. Minister of Education and Culture Juwono
Sudarsono and Directorate General for Elementary and Secondary
Education Indrajati Sidimet met with student representatives and
IKIP Jakarta Rector Soetjipto for about one hour.
Juwono said his ministry proposed budgetary increases every
year, adding: "But it is up to the National Development Planning
Board and the Ministry of Finance to decide whether to accept our
proposals." (prb/edt/imn)