Government Asked To Set Teacher Welfare Standards

JAKARTA UMY academic, Endro Dwi Hatmanto, assessed that the controversial statement by the Minister of Religion Nasaruddin Umar regarding teacher welfare has increasingly opened up the issue of teacher welfare that has been happening in Indonesia.

This is what makes a statement of menagi which originally intended to emphasize the spirit of service actually gives an impression such as degrading the profession of teachers in Indonesia.

"Maybe he meant to emphasize the teacher's service side, but the sentence actually offended many parties," he said, Friday, September 5, 2025.

However, Endro sees that there is a side of reality that should not be ignored. This is because the statement of menagi seems to be an alarm that the condition of teachers, especially honorary ones, is still far from prosperous.

According to him, the issue of teacher welfare cannot only be seen as an individual issue or the choice of individual professions. But reflecting state policies that have not fully taken sides.

"If the government really wants to respect teachers, there should be a real commitment. Teachers must be placed as a priority. Because without them, the quality of education is impossible to improve," he added.

He hopes that the central government can set teacher welfare standards as a national standard that must be a reference for all regions.

Moreover, in many areas, the gap between teachers who are state civil servants (ASN) and those who are honorary is clear. One gets professional allowances, while the other is often forced to survive with salaries that are far below eligibility.

It is not fair if this issue is only submitted to regions or schools. The central government needs to make national welfare standards. That way, the teaching profession is no longer seen as a choice of surrender, but a profession that is truly appreciated, "said Endro.

Previously, Minister of Religion Nasaruddin Umar's statement during a speech at the opening of the Teacher Professional Education (PPG) program at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah, last Wednesday, September 3, drew criticism. Because, in his speech, Menagi had stated that if you want to make money, don't be a teacher but you have to be a merchant.

Not wanting to drag on, Menagin conveyed his clarification as well as an apology regarding the video clip of his statement which had caused a different interpretation of the teaching profession.

"I realize that my snippet of statements about teachers caused an inappropriate interpretation and hurt the feelings of some teachers. For that, I apologize profusely. I have no intention whatsoever to demean the teaching profession. On the contrary, I want to emphasize that teachers are a very noble profession, because with their sincerity the nation's generation is forged," he said as reported by the Ministry of Religion's social media account.

Menag menegaskan bahwa dirinya pun merupakan seorang guru yang mengabdi puluhan tahun.

Karena itu, dia memahami di balik kemuliaan profesinya, guru tetap manusia yang membutuhkan kesejahteraan yang layak.

The Minister of Religion emphasized that he was also a teacher who served decades.

Therefore, he understands that behind the glory of his profession, permanent human teachers who need proper welfare.