Daftarsbmptn.com – Education is a basic right of every Indonesian citizen, guaranteed by the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia. One of the constitutional mandates, stipulated in Article 31 paragraph (1), states that every citizen has the right to education. Meanwhile, paragraph (2) explains that ‘every citizen is obliged to attend basic education, and the government is obliged to finance it.’ This should guarantee free basic education for all Indonesian children. However, in reality, even though basic education is stipulated to be free, the fate of honorary teachers remains uncertain.
Free Basic Education, A Success, But Its Own Challenges
Free basic education is one of the Indonesian government’s major achievements in ensuring that children from all walks of life have access to education without being burdened by costs. The government has allocated significant funds to finance basic education programs, especially since the era of decentralization, which granted greater autonomy to regional governments. With a special allocation of funds for education, elementary schools are expected to provide educational facilities and services at no additional cost to parents.
However, even though basic education is free, other challenges arise related to the welfare of educators, especially honorary teachers who work in many elementary schools. Despite the large number of honorary teachers spread throughout Indonesia, their plight is often overlooked, despite their crucial role in carrying out the constitutional mandate.
Honorary Teachers, Heroes Without Certainty
Honorary teachers in Indonesia currently still face considerable uncertainty regarding their employment status. Most honorary teachers do not receive adequate salaries and lack clear employment status. They work on contracts that are often not renewed clearly and lack adequate welfare guarantees, including pension rights. Even though they dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to schools, they often receive salaries far below the regional minimum wage (UMR).
One of the biggest challenges faced by honorary teachers is the uncertainty surrounding the financing of their salaries. Many regions rely on School Operational Assistance (BOS) funds to pay honorary teachers’ salaries. However, not all regions have sufficient funds to pay their honorariums regularly and as promised. Some honorary teachers even have to wait months to receive their payments, while still carrying out their duties as educators at schools.
The Government’s Role in Resolving the Honorary Teacher Problem
Although basic education is free, the issue of honorary teachers clearly requires more government attention. The government has attempted to address this issue through various policies, such as providing opportunities for honorary teachers to participate in the CPNS (Civil Servant Candidate) selection process or providing additional allowances. However, many challenges remain in the effort to create a fairer system for honorary teachers.
One possible solution is to increase the budget allocation for education, particularly for honorary teacher salaries. The central government needs to ensure that each region has a sufficient budget to pay honorary teachers a living wage. Furthermore, to clarify their employment status, the government needs to consider policies to grant them civil servant (PNS) status or at least provide better welfare guarantees.
Furthermore, a more transparent and fair evaluation system is needed to assess the performance of honorary teachers, so that they can receive rewards commensurate with their efforts. The government also needs to ensure ongoing training and professional development for honorary teachers to maintain the quality of education.
The Community and Its Role
On the other hand, the community also plays a crucial role in supporting honorary teachers. In addition to moral appreciation, the community can advocate for the rights of honorary teachers through various channels, including voicing the importance of teacher welfare at the local and national levels. In this way, the issue of honorary teachers can be more prominent and receive the attention it deserves from the government.
Although free basic education is guaranteed by the constitution, the uncertainty faced by honorary teachers creates major problems in the Indonesian education system. Honorary teachers, who should be the main pillars of basic education, often have to work without adequate rewards for their dedication. Therefore, it is time for the government to ensure the welfare of honorary teachers.