Vice President Gibran's Promise to PPPK Teachers in Kupang

The headmistress of SD Inpres Kaniti in Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Yuliana Nenabu, has urged the government not to dismiss 10 teachers at her school who hold the status of Government Employees with Work Agreements (PPPK). Yuliana made the request because the East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Government initially planned to dismiss 9,000 PPPK employees there due to restrictions limiting employee expenditure to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD).

Yuliana conveyed her request to Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who was visiting SD Inpres Kaniti. “If possible, do not lay off PPPK teachers because there are 10 people here. If 10 people are laid off, education at SD Inpres Kaniti will be severely disrupted,” said Yuliana, as quoted from the Vice Presidential Secretariat website on Monday, 6 April 2026.

In response to the request, Gibran admitted that the government still has many shortcomings regarding the fate of teachers. He promised to seek solutions to the problem.

“[For] teachers, I know there are still many shortcomings now, but we are continuously trying to find solutions, especially for PPPK and honorary teachers,” said Gibran.

The eldest son of former President Joko Widodo claimed that the government is working on solutions to the issue through cross-ministry coordination with local governments. The goal is to ensure no educators are laid off.

“That’s why yesterday we sent representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Finance to have a long discussion with the Governor. The main point is to ensure no one is laid off,” Gibran stated.

Currently, SD Inpres Kaniti has 420 pupils divided into 16 classes. The school has 25 teachers and 2 educational support staff.

Previously, the East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Government planned to dismiss around 9,000 PPPK employees within the provincial scope. The dismissal plan is a follow-up to the provisions of the Law on Financial Relations between the Central Government and Regional Governments. That law stipulates that employee spending must not exceed 30 per cent of the total APBD.

Although the law was enacted in 2022, the provision will begin to be implemented in 2027. The problem is that employee spending in every region exceeds 30 per cent of the APBD.

Another issue is that the total APBD in every region is also lower compared to the previous year. The total APBD for each region has decreased drastically this year because the central government has reduced transfer funds to the regions (TKD) in 2026. TKD consists of Specific Allocation Funds (DAK) and General Allocation Funds (DAU).

East Nusa Tenggara Governor Melki Laka Lena stated that the regulation limiting employee spending to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total APBD is very challenging for the regions. He hopes the central government will review the policy. Melki also plans to meet with the Ministry of Home Affairs to discuss the matter.