PADANG - Meeting hundreds of teachers who are members of the Indonesian Islamic Education Teacher Association (AGPAII), Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko emphasized that the government appreciates every criticism and input from teachers on education policies.
He also assured that the government would continue to improve in ensuring the welfare of teachers in Indonesia, especially religious teachers and non-ASN teachers.
"I realize how strategic a religious teacher's role is for his students because they are the ones who shape the nation's character. Teachers are government strategic partners, so we have to help and give each other. This is indeed not an easy matter because everything has its rules. But it is my job to fight for your rights," said Moeldoko, Sunday, October 2.
Moeldoko told how he was educated by religious teachers in a small Surau where he learned the Koran.
For him, religious teachers have formed a strong character and a good personality in him.
Therefore, he pays special attention to the welfare of religious teachers in Indonesia.
Meanwhile, most of the religious teachers who attended the national congress were honorary workers who had taught for years with very minimal level of welfare.
What's more, so far the management of religious education is under two institutions, namely the Ministry of Religion and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbud Research and Technology). This, according to teachers, has the potential to create policy policies and marginalize the welfare of religious teachers.
Therefore, the teachers expressed their aspirations to immediately raise their status to become Government Employees with Work Agreements (PPPK) and firm policies that guarantee their welfare.
"I was very sad when I heard that the salaries of honorary teachers were only IDR 300,000 per month. Is that true?" asked Moeldoko, who was answered "That's right" by the teachers who attended.
"We have recorded all the complaints. But I advise you to continue to improve quality with enthusiasm from within and quality to be adjusted to current developments. You can't stagnate and stop because the world has changed rapidly," he told the teachers.
Regarding the Draft Law on the National Education System or the Sisdiknas Bill which failed to be included in the 2022 National Legislation Program (Prolegnas), teachers said that the government should continue to encourage and oversee the ratification of this bill.
"Regarding the Sisdiknas Bill, at the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) itself there is no attempt to abolish or ignore religious education. In principle, the government is very concerned about this process. The absence of this bill into the National Legislation Program must be a momentum to improve the process and substance in it," said KSP Deputy II Abetnego Tarigan, who accompanied the Presidential Chief of Staff to attend the AGPAII Congress.
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