Teachers as a pressure group

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