PB PGRI Desak Kemendikbudristek Restore Paragraphs Of Teacher Professional Allowance In The Sisdiknas Bill

JAKARTA - The Executive Board (PB) of the Indonesian Teachers' Association (PGRI) has urged the Ministry of Education and Culture to return a paragraph related to the teaching professional allowance (TPG) to be returned in the National Education System Bill (Sisdiknas).

"In the draft of the Sisdiknas Bill as of August 22, 2022, what we received really denied public logic. Implementing the teaching profession and lecturers," said PB PGRI General Chair Prof. Unifah Rosyidi, at a press conference attended by Antara, Sunday, August 28.

He added that PGRI firmly rejected the abolition of articles on allowances for the profession of teachers, allowances for remote areas, allowances for lecturers, and allowances for honorary lecturers.

"This is the same as the death of the teacher profession and lecturers," he said.

He emphasized that teachers and lecturers were willing to teach even though the welfare level was very low. Teachers survive because of the principle of serving and loving the country.

"But when there is a removal and it occurs in the article, we firmly ask firmly from PGRI at all levels to be returned. This professional allowance is natural as a form of appreciation and justice that is fought for continuously," he said.

He added that the abolition of the TPG article in the Sisdiknas Bill has hurt the teaching staff's sense of justice.

"We demand that the article be returned. We are not anti-change, we just want to invite all parties to contribute. Don't make it silent. We ask Kemendikbudristek officials to use conscience. Friends in parliament must also help channel the aspirations of teachers throughout Indonesia," he emphasized.

In addition, he asked that the discussion of the Sisdiknas Bill be not rushed. Moreover, the bill is an omnibus law that combines three laws into one.

"Therefore, on various occasions, we stated that the Sisdiknas Bill should be postponed and not forced to be discussed in this year's Priority Prolegnas," said Unifah Rosyidi.

Previously, the Ministry of Education and Culture submitted the Sisdiknas Bill to be discussed in the 2022 priority Prolegnas.

The Ministry of Education and Culture also stated that the Sisdiknas Bill ensures that teachers who have received professional allowances, whether ASN or non-ASN, will still receive professional allowances until retirement.