The Teachers’ Association of the Republic of Indonesia (PGRI), one of EI’s national affiliates, has agreed to a government proposal for the assessment of teachers under certain conditions. The trade union stressed that teachers’ salaries should not, in any way, be linked to the assessment outcomes.
Certified teachers will be assessed by the Indonesian Education and Culture Ministry this year. PGRI President Sulistiyo urged teachers not to fear the test because it would only be used to evaluate teachers’ competencies, as specified in to their professional allowances. “The plan is good and teachers should not be afraid of being evaluated,” he said. Sulistiyo also declared this testing would be an opportunity for teachers to demonstrate their professionalism.
He expressed his regret at the ministerial threat to cut off the salaries of teachers who receive low scores in the exam. “The government has a legal obligation to provide salaries. The government therefore should fulfil its obligation, and not make such a threat against educators.”
He also underlined the crucial importance and responsibility of teacher training colleges in preparing qualified and highly skilled educators: “Standards at teacher education colleges are not yet sufficient to enable teachers to develop their teaching skills to the optimum level,” he said.
Not paid on time
Teachers complain that their teaching professional allowance is frequently not paid on time, leaving educators with difficulties in covering their living costs. This is despite government promises to educators to both improve their professional and living standards. The teaching professional allowance aims to increase teaching quality by encouraging continuing study and by helping to cover living costs. Educators urged the government to improve the distribution of the allowance, and not complicate further bureaucratic procedures for the payment of salaries, to which teachers’ have a guaranteed legal right.
EI support
EI supports its Indonesian affiliate’s demands. National authorities must ensure that educators’ wages are paid regularly, without any conditions related to assessment outcomes.