`Prepare students for open society'

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto called on teachers yesterday to instill in students values, skills and characteristics that will enable them to weather the negative impact of the globalization of information and technology.

Technology has enabled people to freely obtain information through the mass media which brings foreign values that are not always suitable with local values, he said.

"It's possible that the foreign values threaten the local value system and culture," he said when opening the week-long, 17th congress of the All Indonesian Teachers Union (PGRI).

He added that the onslaught of information through TV, radio and newspapers spurred the kind of openness which may pose a threat to the nation's integrity.

"That may happen unless we fully comprehend our concept of nationalism", he told around 11,000 teachers participating in the event which took place at the Istora Senayan Indoor Stadium.

Teachers should be aware of such trends and help prepare their students to face the changes, Soeharto said in the ceremony which was also attended by Vice President Try Sutrisno and Education Minister Wardiman Djojonegoro.

Mastery of science and technology is prerequisite to the nation's progress in entering the 21st century, he added.

PGRI was established on Nov. 25, 1945, or about three months after the country declared its independence in August that year.

Roles

Speaking about the role of education in development, Soeharto reminded the teachers of their crucial roles in the development of the nation.

"Without good education, we will not have an intelligent nation...who can build the future," he said.

The effort to prepare Indonesia's children is even more important considering the challenges that the future holds in store for them, he said.

"The world continuously changes and rapidly develops. Science and technology undergo amazing progress," he said. "Without good preparation, it will be difficult for us to master and build our future...or catch up with other countries."

Soeharto also called on teachers to contribute to the success of the national drive to eradicate poverty in 20,000 villages out of Indonesia's some 66,000 villages.

"In the villages, teachers are community leaders and respectable figures," he said.

Soeharto ensured the teachers that the government would never overlook the teachers' service, especially those who have to work in remote places.

"The government will continue to strive to show its appreciation by providing material rewards, or other forms of appreciation, in accordance with the government's ability," Soeharto promised.

Wardiman said that teachers throughout Indonesia's 27 provinces have served as "agents of change" as they too are involved in society's various programs, including family planning, village cooperatives and the family welfare movement.

He also identified a number of problems faced by Indonesia's educators, including the lack of welfare and shortage of facilities.

Earlier, PGRI Chairman Basyuni Suriamihardja reported to the President that the congress will discuss strategies to contribute more to the country's Second 25-Year Development Plan and to set up the organization's next programs.

Indonesian teachers are notoriously meagerly paid and often have to take extra employment to survive financially. Elementary teachers in very remote areas, for instance, receive Rp 86,000 (US$40.3) per month. (swe)