DPR Commission II Asks Local Governments To Pay Attention To The Welfare Of Honorary Teachers

JAKARTA - Commission II of the House of Representatives has asked the regional government (Pemda) to pay special attention to the welfare of non-civil servant (PNS) teachers, including honorary teachers.

Based on the search results of the Certified Honorary Teacher Forum, it shows that more than 700,000 teachers in Indonesia still receive inadequate salaries so that it is not enough to guarantee a prosperous life.

“The polemic in the appointment of honorary teachers to become civil servants is still very concerning. For this reason, regional governments must pay more attention to the welfare of non-civil servant teachers in their respective regions," said Deputy Chairman of Commission II of the DPR, Junimart Girsang, quoted by Antara, Thursday, November 25.

Junimart said that local governments need to make policies and allocate budgets that support the welfare of honorary teachers.

"Regional heads must have the courage to reallocate programs and budgets that are not important to be allocated as allowances or additional salaries for non-PNS teachers," he explained.

Junimart emphasized that a decent salary or wage is a concrete manifestation of the government's concern for the fate of honorary teachers.

Not only that, he said, a decent wage is a form of the government's real appreciation for teacher service.

"We must appreciate all the dedication and contribution of teachers in building the future of the nation's children. So, this appreciation must be realized by providing welfare guarantees for them, especially non-PNS teachers," said Junimart.

Apart from that, Junimart believes that the problem of the welfare of honorary teachers must be solved by increasing the quota of civil servants for teachers in each region.

He asked policy makers to make the selection process and appointment of honorary teachers to become civil servants easier.

"Every year the quota for PNS teacher appointments should be increased, as well as the process with the hope that in the future there will be no more teachers who suffer the same fate as Oemar Bakri," he said.