Teachers union endorses Golkar

Teachers union endorses Golkar

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Association of Teachers (PGRI) gave yesterday its endorsement to Golkar in next year's general election, saying that the political group has helped to improve the welfare of its more than 1.5 million members.

"The teachers will back Golkar in the general election," PGRI chairman Basyuni Suriamiharja said at a news conference to announce activities for the National Teachers' Day this month.

The association is calling on all members to voluntarily cast their votes for Golkar, he said when asked about PGRI's position on the general election in May.

"There is no coercion for them to vote Golkar," he said.

PGRI, the only association for the teaching profession and the oldest trade union in the country, is organizing a series of activities in connection with National Teachers Day on Nov. 25. The date coincides with its 51st anniversary.

The activities will peak with a gathering at the Senayan Sports Palace on Nov. 28, which will bring in 12,000 teachers.

"We hope President Soeharto will attend... and address the meeting," Basyuni said.

The association has supported Golkar in all the five general elections held under President Soeharto since 1971.

Basyuni said the welfare of members remains the association's biggest concern.

The union will strive to improve the welfare of its members, which he said is the key to improving their professionalism.

Teaching, once regarded as a noble job, is now one of the most poorly paid professions in Indonesia.

Jimly Asshiddiqie, an aide of the minister of education and culture, said separately the government has been striving to improve the welfare of teachers, but progress has been slow because of the government's limited financial resources.

Some changes have been made, such as the recent revamping of the career structure of government teachers which ties promotion to performance rather than seniority, he said.

Previously, teachers received automatic promotion every four years. "Today, they can get promoted every two years if they collect enough credit points," Jimly said.

Taufik Abdullah, a historian of Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI), said society has not given the appreciation that is due to teachers, whom he described as "fighters" in the same breath as those who fought for independence 51 years ago.

He deplored the allegations that the small pay packets of many teachers working in remote areas are being cut by the government for various dues. "There are many stories like that." (03)