Honorary Teachers In Jakarta Fired Unilaterally, DPRD Will Call DKI Provincial Government

A demonstration by honorary teachers in Jakarta May 2023 (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Member of Commission E of the DKI Jakarta DPRD, Abdul Aziz, said that his party would summon the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government in the aftermath of the unilateral dismissal of hundreds of honorary teachers in Jakarta.

Aziz admitted that he was surprised by the policy of cleaning honorary teachers which resulted in a unilateral termination of the contract.

"If it is true that there have been layoffs on honorary teachers, we deeply regret this. We, the DKI DPRD, will summon the DKI Regional Government Education Office to explain the background and purpose of taking this step," Aziz said when contacted, Wednesday, July 17.

The plan is to summon the ranks of the DKI Education Office to clarify the issue of honorary teachers next week. In the meeting, the DPRD will ask the DKI Provincial Government to postpone the dismissal of the education staff.

"First, explain the policy to the DKI DPRD and the public. Second, postpone the policy until it is elected and inaugurated by the new governor in DKI," he said.

The Teacher Education Association (P2G) noted that 107 honorary teachers in Jakarta were affected by unilateral dismissal.

Head of the Advocacy Division of P2G Teacher Iman Zanatul Haeri revealed, on July 5, 2024 or the first week of entering a new school in 2024/2025, honorary teachers received messages from their respective principals to fill out forms online.

Apparently, in the form, honorary teachers were asked to fill in the data and approval stating that they could no longer teach because of the honorary cleansing policy.

"Since the first day they entered was the last day at school. After it was announced they were no longer allowed to teach, they were told to fill out the cleansing form. It was like being shot, then told to dig their own graves," Iman told reporters.

When they received a smooth "expel" from their work, honorary teachers in DKI Jakarta were shocked because they suddenly stopped working. This is because some honorary teachers who were affected by the dismissal have taught for more than 6 years.

Some are crying, some are confused about how to tell their family at home because in a short time their career as a teacher just ran aground. To this day they are still wondering, what policy is this and why are they being treated like that? Without notification and without preparation," said Iman.