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Teachers threaten to boycott national exams

Source
Indonesian Observer - April 20, 2000

Jakarta – Thousands of teachers in Jakarta and other cities yesterday continued to protest over their low salaries, threatening to boycott this month's national exams, despite the government's promise to significantly increase their pay.

About 100 protesting teachers from Central Java were received at the Bina Graha presidential office in Jakarta by President Abdurrahman Wahid, who pledged to give them a pay rise.

Speaking to reporters after attending the meeting, Education Minister Yahya Muhaimin said the president assured the teachers the government understood their plight and would raise their salaries. However, he said the government could not yet set an exact percentage for the increase until Finance Minister Bambang Sudibyo returns from an overseas trip.

At a cabinet meeting chaired by Wahid yesterday, ministers agreed that teachers should be paid more, but could not agree by how much. Muhaimin said that based on the state budget, it is impossible for the government to increase the salaries of state teachers by up to 500%, as the nation is still suffering from the economic crisis.

The government's promises failed to dampen protests by the teachers. In South Sulawesi, thousands of teachers and students yesterday rallied at in the province's capital of Makassar. Apologizing to the parents of their students for the strike, the teachers threatened to boycott the national exams set for May 29.

"We ask all parents to forgive us. We're not attempting to shirk our responsibilities. We are forced to boycott the exams, although it was a bitter decision. We have to take this option because we are oppressed and ignored," said Syamsu Niang, leader of the protest.

Private schools

A similar protest was held in Jakarta, involving at least 100 teachers from private schools in the West Java city of Tangerang. Carrying banners and posters, the teachers entered the House of Representatives building, where they held a free speech forum.

They were received by House Deputy Speaker Soetardjo Soerjo- goeritno of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). Representatives of the protesting elementary school teachers told Soetardjo their monthly salaries range from Rp40,000 (US$5.15) to Rp 80,000 (US$10.30). "We have to moonlight by selling basic commodities or operating ojeks [motorcycle taxis]," one teacher said. Some said they have been teaching for as long as 18 years but had never been well paid.

Responding to their demand, Soetardjo said the House will ask private schools to give more attention to their teachers' welfare. He said the House will on April 27 discuss the teachers' welfare with the president during a regular monthly session.

The biggest protests erupted on Tuesday with more than 20,000 teachers on the government payroll from West Java thronging to the capital, causing severe traffic jams across the city.

In Yogyakarta, another 6,000 teachers marched in front of the Gunung Kidul regent's office, also threatening to boycott the national exams and teachings. "Boycott teaching if the salary is not raised," read one banner carried by the protesters who arrived on motorbikes and in cars.

They said the government should revoke its decision to increase the wages of high-ranking officials by up to 1,800%."If the government does not soon increase the salaries of teachers and postpone raises in structural wages, teachers in Gunung Kidul will boycott teaching and the national exams," said Supardi, one protester.

In a response to the boycott, Minister Muhaimin asked teachers to cancel their plans for a strike, saying they should not neglect their main duties. He said there are indications the protests were masterminded by certain groups for their political gains. He did not elaborate.

Paid protests

In Bali, National Police Chief Lieutenant General Rusdihardjo yesterday said he believes there are organizations which are paid to arrange street rallies.

"How many people join the rally and what kind of demands they shout voice out depends on the order. The most important thing is that those who place the order must pay these organizations a certain sum of money." was quoted as saying by Antara in Denpasar.

The orders also cover the length of time of the demonstrations, be they half-a-day or one whole day, he said."People can even order demonstrations for several days, depending on how much they are willing to pay the organizations," he said.

Exactly where these organizations are based remains a secret, he said. Asked if anybody could do such a business, he said there are no clear regulations on the matter. As long as the business does not disrupt public order, police will have difficulty taking action against these organizations, he said.

So far, the companies supplying demonstrations have not caused public unrest, he said. "They still operate within tolerable limits," he added.

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