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)