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.