There are quite a lot of unfilled positions because they (prospective teachers) do not want to.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - An official from the Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Ministry pointed to the lack of interest for taking up teaching positions in the outermost, remote, and underdeveloped (3T) areas within the government employee registration.

"There are quite a lot of unfilled positions because they (prospective teachers) do not want to," the Ministry's Teachers and Education Workers Directorate General Secretary, Nunuk Suryani, noted here on Monday.

Suryani drew attention to 179,769 vacant teaching positions for 3T areas within the government employee registration.


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These 3T areas are North Nias, North Halmahera, South Barito, South Central Timor, Central Halmahera, Southwest Maluku, West Halmahera, South Halmahera, Nias, Central Maluku, Pulang Pisau, Barito Island, West Lombok, West Kuta, East Halmahera, Sangihe Islands, and Tanimbar Islands.

The lack of teachers in the 3T areas will further increase the gap in the students' capability and the required skills in those areas, she noted.

"In 3T areas, there is barely any online learning. Based on our research results, utilizing technology is tough that has resulted in a higher gap, and this is what we have to overcome together," she elaborated.


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In a bid to address the problem of a wide education gap in the 3T areas, the government has conducted the government employee selection process for residents that have tied to the areas to fill the empty teaching positions, she highlighted.

Moreover, teachers that had passed the government employee selection exam but were unable to become an employee in their regions will be directed to fill the teaching positions in 3T areas, she stated.

To support the education sector in 3T areas, the government is also providing a learning facility, in the form of a learning package or kit, for teachers in those areas.


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Translator: Hreeloita S, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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