During that day, class sessions are not held for school students and they will participate in fun activities such as decorating the class, writing an appreciation letter to teachers, and preparing a small lunch party with the teachers.
Indonesia's observance of National Teachers' Day traces its origins to 1994, when then-president Soeharto formalized the celebration through Presidential Decree No. 78, designating November 25th as a special day for educators.
The establishment of this commemorative date serves to honor the dedication of Indonesia's teachers, acknowledging their tireless efforts in nurturing intellectual growth and fostering education among the nation's children.
One of the ways to appreciate the tireless work carried out by Indonesian teachers is to ensure their welfare. This step aims to support one of the President Prabowo Subianto administration's eight main missions, or Asta Cita, namely boosting human resource development, science, technology, education, health, sports, and gender equality.
Both teachers' welfare and competence are important in ensuring that education development in the country is right on track. Despite rapid technological progress, the irreplaceable role of teachers remains central to education and learning processes.
Increasing competence
The current government has taken at least three measures to improve the quality of teachers in Indonesia to ensure quality education and to create excellent human resources, as earlier highlighted by Primary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu'ti.
"Various kinds of technological advancements cannot replace the position and role of teachers as agents of learning and enlightening the nation," he stated at the launch of the National Teachers Month in Palembang, South Sumatra, on Friday (November 1).
His ministry's first measure to improve teacher quality is helping educators obtain a bachelor's degree by providing them with scholarships or education assistance programs, considering that not all teachers in Indonesia hold a bachelor's degree.
The second effort is improving teachers' competence. He noted that four teacher competencies should be honed: academic competency, pedagogical competency, social competency, and moral competency.
Mu'ti said his side is pursuing the second effort by improving Teacher Professional Education (PPG), including by adding counseling and value education materials for prospective teachers.
"This is part of our efforts to improve teachers' competency," he affirmed.
The third measure is improving teachers' welfare. Mu'ti expressed belief that the quality of teachers is determined by their welfare while underlining that his ministry is committed to improving the welfare of educators.
The minister said that by focusing on these three aspects, Indonesia will produce quality teachers who will eventually affect the quality of human resources.
"Great teachers will affect the quality of our learning - the quality of learning will affect the quality of our education - the quality of our education will determine the strength of our human resources," he elaborated.
The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) also accentuated the need to boost teachers' competency in the country.
Head of the BRIN Education Research Center Trina Fizzanty emphasized the urgent need to improve teachers' quality to enhance the quality of education in Indonesia.
"The key to education's quality improvement is teachers," she stated on Nov 1.
She underscored the need to bolster teachers' education through gradual and continuous training.
In addition, she explained that efforts to improve the quality of education in Indonesia can be carried out through schools. In this case, it is deemed essential for schools to create a conducive environment to encourage and inspire teachers to carry out their duties well.
To this end, she expressed hope that the central government and relevant stakeholders would create supportive policies.
So far, to support quality improvement among teachers, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology in the 2019-2024 term has created the Merdeka Mengajar (Independent in Teaching) platform.
The platform has helped teachers access information and references as well as draw inspiration. It also enables teachers to engage in self-training and connect with others in the same profession in the country.
Ensuring welfare
The Indonesian government continues to support teachers' welfare by improving the mechanism for the implementation of the Teacher Professional Education (PPG) program in a bid to boost the number of certified teachers. If teachers are certified in the PPG program, they can receive an allowance that would support their income.
On a previous occasion, the Indonesian Teachers Association (PGRI) pressed to not leave behind contract-based teachers in public or state schools.
PGRI Chairperson Unifah Rosyidi voiced strong opposition to the vulnerability of contract teachers who face unexpected termination after years of service due to changes in regulations.
"In essence, PGRI continues to fight for the certainty of protection for teachers' status," she stressed.
Meanwhile, related to the law ensuring the rights of teachers, House member Hetifah Sjaifudian stressed the need to uphold stipulations in Law No. 14 of 2005 concerning teachers and lecturers.
"Law No. 14 of 2005 concerning teachers and lecturers has become a mandatory foundation, as it regulates the rights and obligations of teachers," she stated on November 1.
She also expressed support for the programs that will be carried out by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to improve the welfare of teachers.
She also pointed out several issues that necessitate attention, such as budget allocation for the ministry and challenges in teachers' certification.
"Hopefully, teachers will continue to be motivated to teach our children to become a qualified generation," Sjaifudian stated.
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Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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