`Prepare students for open society'

`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)