"Continue improving religious moderation for the success of the Year of Tolerance. Avoid politicization of religion and division, particularly those who use religion as justification. Present religion as a blessing for universe," Sa'adi stated during the National Teacher's Day commemoration ceremony here, Friday.
Teachers must make religion the source of inspiration to elevate human dignity and bolster commitment to nationalism, tolerance, and anti-violence, he affirmed.
Sa'adi then reiterated the ministry's commitment to bolstering teachers’ welfare and competency by advocating extra quota in the teachers' professional education (PPG) programme under the government scholarship LPDP for teachers.
"Praise be to God, we have a significant quota increase to 11,200 for the PPG scholarship this year. We are committed to continuing to increase the number in the upcoming years," the deputy minister affirmed.
The ministry is also committed to providing scholarship and training programs for teachers, he emphasized.
The deputy minister stated that the ministry had partnered with the World Bank to increase teachers' competence through the Madrasah Reform (MEQR) Program that is expected to reach over 300 thousand teachers and educators nationwide.
"Regarding the teachers' welfare, we have advocated for teacher's benefits and incentives, induction of contract teachers, (equitable) teacher distribution and arrangement, and other strategic programmes," Sa'adi remarked.
He also urged teachers to be keen learners since while imparting knowledge to their pupils, they must also renew and upgrade their knowledge.
Despite its challenge, teachers are also encouraged to continue innovating and utilizing information technology, as learning activities must be able to respond to current developments, the deputy minister remarked.
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Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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