Principal Emergency Base, 261 Schools From Kindergarten To Middle School Don't Have Principals

Hundreds of educational institutions under the auspices of the Bangkalan Regency Education Office, East Java experienced a vacancy of principal officials.

BANGKALAN - Hundreds of educational institutions under the auspices of the Bangkalan Regency Education Office, East Java experienced a vacancy of principal officials.

"There are as many as 261 kindergarten, elementary and junior high schools that are currently still held by the acting (Plt) or are not chaired by the definitive principal," said Head of the Bangkalan Education Personnel Division, Toha, as reported by ANTARA, Monday, August 7.

The 261 educational institutions that do not have a definitive principal include 2 kindergarten schools, 244 elementary schools and 15 junior high schools.

"The vacancies that have occurred are already in the emergency category. We lack teachers who have a test certificate for school principal candidates (Cakep) and those with driving status. From kindergarten, elementary and junior high school levels, a total of 261 institutions are empty," he said.

To overcome the ministerial vacuum emergency, according to Toha, it is appropriate to implement Permendikbudristek number 40 of 2021. It is explained in the law that in an emergency situation, the regional may assign teachers as the principal, by forming a deliberation team.

"In a situation like what is happening right now, it is permissible to appoint a teacher as a principal. But the appointment must go through a deliberation team. The appointment is for the need for a term or 4 years of office. For the next period, you must join the driving teacher," said Toha.

According to him, the appointment must meet the provisions, including having the status of a State Civil Apparatus (ASN), serving a minimum of 8 years, having a minimum position of class 3b and having an educator certificate. The proposed names will later be submitted to Menpan RB.

The Principal's screening process, explained by Toha, has been carried out since October 2022. However, it is still not even 261 but only 202 people. Because, the lack of interest is the cause.

"Now it's still not enough, only 202 people whose data has been entered. Later we will try to get the rest of the teachers driving the 6th and 7th batch so that later the needs of this Principal can be met soon," said Toha.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Commission D of the Bangkalan DPRD, Nurhasan, said that the vacancy of school principals in hundreds of schools had indeed been included in the emergency category, so they had to immediately conduct screenings from ordinary teachers. Because, in certain situations screening is allowed.

"Actually, this situation is very embarrassing, but it must be understood because the regions also cannot appoint officials as long as they do not have definitive leadership. Therefore, it must be taken seriously, the appointed teachers must meet the requirements, because the determination is at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs," he said.