The government needs to create a complaint mechanism for teachers who are forced to engage in practical politics.
JAKARTA–The Community Coalition for Educational Transformation (KMSTP) released findings on the politicization of teachers during the 2015 simultaneous regional head elections (pilkada). This coalition consists of non-governmental organizations, namely Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW), Satu Karsa Karya Foundation, Pattiro, Article 33, and Paramadina Public Policy Institute. "One of the problems with teachers is that teachers become material for politicization," said ICW Coordinator Ade Irawan in a discussion on World Teachers' Day in Jakarta, Monday (5/10).
Ade explained that teachers are often used as objects for political interests, especially in the regions. They are always used as 'winning machines' for regional head candidates in regional elections. According to Ade, ICW found this condition in the Pandeglang Regency area, Banten. Teachers in the region are often used as 'throwaways' for civil servants who do not support voters' wins.
So that this situation does not occur, ICW advises the government to anticipate it. Especially, he continued, ahead of the simultaneous regional elections in December 2015. The government is expected to issue circulars to regions holding elections not to involve teachers in the campaign process.
Ade also believes that the government needs to create a complaints mechanism for teachers who are forced to be involved in the winning process. This could also be a place for complaints for teachers who were sacrificed after the election.
Advisor to the Indonesian Private Teachers Association, Suparman, added that the politicization of teachers is not something new to hear. He gave an example, teachers who can be promoted to work in the Education Department if they succeed in winning regional head candidates. If not, he said, they could lose their positions.
Suparman explained the reasons why regional head candidates use teachers. First, they run in a quite 'sexy' aspect, namely education. They are also easy to 'carry' because the system is bureaucratic. Apart from that, teachers also become community figures who easily win the hearts of the community.
Education observer from Jakarta State University (UNJ) Jimmy PH Paat said there were six main problems for teachers. "From the results of the research, we mapped six teacher problems," said Jimmy. Apart from the problem of teacher politicization, teacher recruitment is a problem that has never found a solution.
This problem actually occurred in the initial phase, namely in Educational Institutions and Education Personnel (LPTK). So far there are 417 LPTKs in Indonesia, but these institutions have apparently not been able to graduate qualified teachers. In fact, the students who enter this educational institution are not the best students.
Because of these conditions, Jimmy said there were several school officials who criticized this. "If you can become a teacher, it's not easy," said Jimmy.
Another problem is the welfare status and distribution of teachers. According to Jimmy, so far private, state and honorary teachers have had the same work. However, their welfare is actually different and this condition is clearly unfair. Because of this, Jimmy suggested that teachers could be given a path to certification and obtain welfare later.
Director General of Teachers and Education Personnel at the Ministry of Education and Culture, Sumarna Surapranata, said that teacher distribution is a problem that is difficult to overcome. "This is because there are many influencing factors," said Surapranata. He gave the example that many teachers did not want to be transferred. Apart from that, local governments also do not want and do not dare to move teachers' workplaces to other places. n c13 ed: andri saubani
http://www.republika.co.id/berita/koran/didaktika/15/10/06/nvsh8c1-guru-dipolitisasi-jelang-pilkada
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