Ministry Of Religion Asked To Accelerate Certification Of 484,737 Madrasah Teachers In Indonesia

Illustration of madrasah teachers (ANTARA)

MANOKWARI Chairman of Committee III of the Indonesian Regional Representative Council (DPD), Filep Wamafma, asked the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) to accelerate the certification process for 484,737 madrasah teachers who do not yet have an educator certificate.

Filep also emphasized the importance of revitalizing madrasah schools throughout Indonesia to improve the quality of religious-based education.

Based on data from the Indonesian Education Monitoring Network (JPPI), as many as 60.8 percent of madrasa teachers have not been certified, with the majority being non-ASN educators.

"Committee III sees that there are still many non-ASN educators under the auspices of the Ministry of Religion who have not been certified," said Filep, quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, December 3.

Filep advised the Ministry of Religion to issue special regulations for madrasah teachers over the age of 55 to obtain certification, accelerate teacher professional education (PPG), and increase incentives for educators. This, according to him, is in accordance with the aspirations of the Non-Inpassing Certification Teacher Forum (FGSNI) representing private madrasa teachers.

"There are madrasah teachers aged 55 years and over who have not been covered in the 2023 Inpassing Decree. In addition, it is necessary to revise KMA Number 75 of 2023," said Filep.

He also suggested that the Ministry of Religion's budget of IDR 65.92 trillion in 2025 be allocated for teacher certification programs, educational infrastructure improvements, and education operations.

The Indonesian Minister of Religion, Nasaruddin Umar, stated that his party had designed steps to accelerate the completion of teacher professional education within two years. This program includes madrasas teachers as well as Christian, Catholic, Hindu and Buddhist religious education teachers.

"We are proposing an additional PPG 2025 budget to the Ministry of Finance," said Nasaruddin.

In addition, the 2025 Ministry of Religion's work program will include revitalizing madrasa infrastructure, accepting ASN candidates, and improving religious-based education services. This program is aligned with the vision of Advanced Indonesia which emphasizes sustainable and inclusive development.

Filep assessed that the cooperation between Committee III of the DPD RI and the Ministry of Religion is very important to bridge national policies with regional needs.

"This synergy is a strategic step to ensure the fulfillment of educational rights and development based on inclusive and moderate religious values," he said.

Through this collaboration, the Ministry of Religion is expected to be able to realize the quality of better religious education, as well as maintain religious harmony throughout Indonesia.