Teachers find something to celebrate

Teachers find something to celebrate

Debbie A. Lubis, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Teachers throughout the country will celebrate National Teachers'
Day on Monday amid their continuing struggle to improve their
standards, welfare and legal protection.

Many teachers have improved their formal education levels
despite the lack of rewards.

Indonesian Teachers Union (PGRI) chairman Mohamad Surya said
that although still small in number, some primary and secondary
school teachers were striving to keep abreast of the latest
progress in science and technology.

Ministry of National Education data shows that half the 2.33
million elementary, junior, senior and vocational high school
teachers across the country have upgraded their education to
university undergraduate level and were now considered
"qualified" to teach.

Surya said the teachers' struggle to get more fringe benefits
from the government had also been fulfilled.

The government agreed last month to increase teachers' monthly
allowances by between Rp 56,250 and Rp 87,500 per month. In
addition, the government also agreed to pay an additional Rp
75,000 per month to temporary teachers and teachers working at
private schools.

"We are grateful enough with the policy although the figures
are still small," Surya said.

He added that some legislators in the House of Representatives
had also shown their concern by saying that their factions would
pay attention to teachers' welfare.

"We hope the promise will not fade away as soon as the
political parties finish their competition in 2004," Surya said.

Surya said that his association was also preparing a draft
bill on teachers' protection, considering the increasing violence
against teachers recently, especially against those in conflict
areas, namely Aceh.

"Teachers, especially those in conflict areas need legal
protection to address cases of abduction, house torches, physical
abuse and other violent acts," he said on the preparation of
National Teachers' Day.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri is scheduled to bestow Satya
Lencana Karya Satya Nugraha awards on 545 teachers across the
country for their dedication. Teachers who will get the awards
are those who have spent between 10 years and 30 years in
education.

Eight teachers will be presented the awards on behalf of the
545 teachers.

Surya, however, said that acknowledgement from the government
and the public would be more meaningful for teachers than formal
awards.

"Teachers will feel honored if the parents see them in person
during the distribution of students' reports instead of sending
their drivers or maids to fetch the reports," he said.