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)