Teachers as a pressure group

Teachers in Kampar regency, Riau province, have successfully forced the provincial legislative assembly to hold a special meeting to dismiss Regent Jefry Noer for insulting a teacher during a recent meeting at his office.

Two weeks of demonstrations led by teachers, which paralyzed school activities in Kampar, were effective in pressurizing the local government, as they were widely supported by students from elementary to senior high schools.

Whether or not Jefry would retain his position as Kampar regent still depends on President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno.

The teachers' strike shows that every citizen has the right to freedom of expression to fight for the public interest, and that teachers are not a marginalized community.

Unfortunately, the conflict between Jefry and the teachers is not good news for the education sector. The teachers' solidarity, which is a political strength, has ensued in a sacrifice of the academic process. We cannot imagine what would happen if teachers across the country staged protests for months against low wages and did not care about their duty to teach their pupils.

The Jefry-teachers conflict has taught us that teachers have become an effective pressure group. Being low-paid, teachers can also be hired as demonstrators and if this happens -- especially before the general elections -- the education sector will face a dire situation. -- Media Indonesia, Jakarta