Teachers clash over allowance

Teachers clash over allowance

PALU, Central Sulawesi: Violence marred a rally staged by
thousands of teachers at the local Teaching and Education Agency
office (DPP) over their reduced allowance on Wednesday.

The protest turned ugly after the head of the agency, Rais
Lamakampali, refused to meet with the teachers' representative
for negotiations.

Police were called as the teachers began to stone the windows
of the agency building. A minor clash broke out when the police
prevented the protesters from forcing their way into the
building.

One of the protesters, Asnidar, a teacher at state junior high
school SLTP Negeri 9, said the incident should not have occurred
had Rais received their representative Tjatjo Thaha.

"We are very disappointed with the way the DPP chief dismissed
Pak Tjatjo from his office," Asnidar said.

The teachers said they used to receive around Rp 586,000
(US$53) as a monthly allowance, but starting from May last year
the amount was cut to Rp 200,000.

Asnidar speculated that the allowance had been reduced after
the teachers were awarded scholarships to continue their studies.
She said the teachers accepted the program following assurance
that it would not affect the amount of their allowance.

Rais was not available for comment. (24)