Surabaya  (Jawa Pos: (09/12/07) Hundreds of teachers were gathering at the Graha Tirta PDAM in Surabaya on December 8 to attend the launch of a new forum called Klub Guru (Teachers’ Group). Aside of teachers, others may join this organization which is aimed at developing teachers’ competency. 

Chairperson of the Club, Sirikit Syah, said the establishment of the organization is prompted by concern over the lacking of organization for teachers. There is the PGRI (Indonesian Teachers Association). However, PGRI is dealing with too many issues. "PGRI is currently busy addressing teachers’ welfare. And teachers’ competency have not been dealt with properly,” she said. The establishment of the organization, Sirikit explained, began with a discussion among alumni of the Surabaya State University (Unesa). They agreed to set up a teachers’ organization called Klub Guru. “We want to progress together; therefore, its membership is not limited to teachers only," she explained.

Besides Sirikit, several education figures were also involved in the launch of the organization, including Satria Dharma, who is involved in the Putera Sampoerna Foundation (SF). Some journalists who care for education were also present. The club membership is not limited to teachers. Anyone can be members. During the seminar and the launch of the Klub Guru, this organization already has 500 members. “There are many members. The seminar participants are offered to fill out registration form to become members," she explained.

To improve teachers’ competency, Sirikit said the club will hold a series of seminar on quality improvement. She pointed out that during the launch of Klub Guru, many teachers coming from some regions said they wanted to get the certificate but they were not interested in knowledge transfer during the seminar. “Of course we rejected them," she said. The Club’s expert, Satria Dharma, explained that the organization is only focussing in teachers’ competency improvement. "Frankly speaking, I am really concerned upon learning that an elementary school graduate teaches in an elementary school," he said.