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)