What they say about teachers

What they say about teachers

JAKARTA (JP): The life of an Indonesian teacher is one of
Indonesia's great ironies. On the one hand they are respected and
called "heroes without medals". At the same time many of them
struggle to make ends meet on their meager salaries, made even
lower by numerous levies. Those working in remote areas have to
deal with late salary payments, which can often take months to
receive. Is it fair to expect teachers to shoulder the
responsibility of educating the nation's young given their unfair
financial situation? The Jakarta Post explores the issue as we
commemorate National Teachers Day today in Indonesia.

Hotman Siahaan, a sociologist from University of Airlangga,
Surabaya: In the social context, teachers are respected but not
in the structural context. They are poorly paid, with payment
sometimes being overdue. Teachers often don't receive full
payment because levies are subtracted. Teachers deserve more.

Teachers cannot fully play their social role because of this
problem. They have to work hard to make both ends meet so they
give private lessons or teach in other schools. This affects the
quality of education and it is the people who will suffer.

Students whose families are financially better off will
receive better education which may lead to an "education gap".

Teachers are expected to serve but let's be realistic.

As a dosen (instructor in college or university), I can only
live for a week with my monthly salary. I have to generate income
from other sources so I write articles for publication.

I became a dosen because it was my choice in life. I like the
intellectual challenge. Economically I don't get enough, but as
compensation, I can develop my capacity for intellectual and
critical thinking.

I hope teachers will become better paid. But until the
education budget is increased, how can I hope for much?

Marlis, 17, a student of SMA Theresia Catholic high school in
Central Jakarta: I hate teachers. They are mean. They can become
furious because of a trivial mistake. Their reactions can be all
out of proportion. There are some good teachers, but there are
more teachers who are mean. I have a favorite teacher who is
never angry even if the students are bad ... But if a teacher
gets mad because the students are naughty, well, I think that is
fair enough.

Even though I don't like teachers, I must admit that they play
an important role in education.

I take pity on them because their salary is too small compared
with their responsibilities, but there's nothing I can do about
it.

By the way, last year I failed to pass into the third grade.

Verdy Thaib, 16, a student of SMA III state-run high school
Central Jakarta: Teachers should not only give students
knowledge, they should also be able to motivate students to think
about their future. Teachers represent our parents at school.
They have a hard job. Academic skills alone are not enough.
Teachers should give the students attention and love, they should
become our parents and friends.

I don't find many teachers like that -- teachers who can make
friends with the students.

I would not be surprised if some teachers had side jobs, like
giving private lessons, or if they receive bribes because they
can't make ends meet. They aren't sufficiently rewarded for their
services. There are teachers who have been in the profession for
decades but earn very little.

There is an old saying: 'Guru Kencing Berdiri Murid Kencing
Berlari' (meaning students follow what teachers do). But I think
today many students do not think that way and in Jakarta it is
often difficult to control students.

But without teachers, we are nothing.

To show our respect to teachers, we students should give more
attention to the lessons, study hard and cause less trouble.

Mien Uno, director of John Robert Powers School of Personal
Development: My father was a high school teacher (1941 to 1965).
I remember when I recently met Pak Sudomo and Pak Rudini
(respectively the head of Supreme Advisory Council and a former
minister of home affairs) who are both my father's former
students, they said: "Here is my teacher's daughter."

Teachers used to be highly respected and a close relationship
existed between students and teachers. I remember when I was a
kid, my father's students often came to the house and brought us
food.

In the past, teachers showed more discipline, consistency and
responsibility. They would not accept bribes. Now, there is more
demand for material things, which can affect teachers' idealism.

We still have good teachers but most of them are not known to
the public. Good teachers are those who can transfer knowledge
clearly in a convincing and interesting way. They should be able
to teach, not preach, because people do not like being preached
to. They should have good ethics, too.

Even though they earn little money, good teachers will not
have any financial problems. Students will ask to have private
lessons. They can make more money from moonlighting or side jobs.
But they have to maintain the quality of their main job.

My younger brother, Arief Rachman is a good teacher and people
always come to him.

I used to teach in an elementary school and high schools. I am
still a teacher. I enjoy teaching.

Handjojo Putro, a member of the House of Representatives:
There is a difference between teachers in the past and teachers
today. Teachers used to teach and educate. Now teachers only
teach. They give students knowledge, but they do not really
"educate" them about morality, ethics or codes of conduct. No
wonder many students are difficult to control.

Teachers used to give more attention to the students. When I
was a kid, if I did not go to school for two days, the teacher
would come to my house. Not now. They don't really care.

The teaching of codes of conducts is crucial, especially for
primary school students. I don't really know why they do not give
more attention to this. Maybe it is the education system or the
teachers as individuals who fail to do so.

The quality of education has something to do with the
teachers' wellbeing. I don't blame teachers. They earn so little
that they cannot fulfill their basic needs.

If conditions do not change, it will be dangerous. The
students might be of a high intellectual standard but they will
not have good codes of conducts. (14/sim)