President Jokowi Appreciates Teachers’ Hard Work During Pandemic
President Jokowi delivers remarks at the Commemoration of 2020 National Teachers’ Day and the 75th Anniversary of the Indonesian Teachers Union (PGRI), Saturday (28/11). (Photo by: Secretariat President/Kris)
During the Commemoration of 2020 National Teachers’ Day and the 75th Anniversary of the Indonesian Teachers Union (PGRI), President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo expressed gratitude and appreciation to all teachers in Indonesia.
“Happy National Teachers’ Day and happy 75th birthday of the PGRI. I thank all teachers who have been working hard and who never give up amidst their difficulties. Thank you for fostering the nation’s children into excellent human resources who always love the country,” the President said on Saturday (28/11).
Amidst the pandemic, teachers’ role and innovation in carrying out learning process are vital, the President said.
Therefore, teachers must also continue to bring innovation and creation in maintaining the implementation of learning process both online and offline (home visit), he added.
“Teachers must swiftly adapt to the changes and the use of the technology, to change the learning method, and to work hard to teach the students well. Nevertheless, COVID-19 pandemic must not lower the quality of learning process,” he added.
According to the President, teachers must also overcome the challenges through innovation to make students learn with full spirit and also to motivate self-learning.
However, teachers cannot work alone and it requires a synergy with parents to realize it, he added.
Since education is joint responsibility, the role of parents as the first teachers in family is crucial for the success of learning process; thus, communication between teachers and parents must be intensified, the President added.
“I know that many parents want the schools to be reopened, but we must remain vigilant because health and safety is the most important thing. Health and safety of teachers and students are the Government’s first priority,” he said.
For the record, the Government has issued several policies to support the teachers by using more than 50 percent of budget allocated in the School Operational Assistance (BOS) to disburse salary of non-tenured teachers.
The Government also provides wage subsidy to 1.8 million teachers and non-tenured teachers in which each recipient receives Rp600,000 for three months, internet data package subsidy for teachers, and several other programs to increase the quality of teachers.
“In September, I signed Presidential Regulation Number 98 of 2020 on Salary and Allowances of Contract-based Government Employees (PPPK). I want contract-based teachers have equal salary and allowances as state civil apparatus,” he added.
Regarding the need of new teachers in Indonesia, not all non-tenured teachers can apply for the civil servant enrollment test (CPNS) due to their age limit. For that reason, the needs of new teachers will be met through recruitment of PPPK teachers who have equal welfare guarantee and career path as civil servants.
“We will recruit more PPPK teachers in 2021. I hope it can bring a significant impact on the welfare of teachers in Indonesia and can increase our education quality,” he concluded. (BPMI/UN) (RAS/EP)
