JAKARTA, REPUBLIKA - The Department of Education allocates Rp 1.2 trillion in 2009 to increase teacher competency. From this budget, as much as Rp 496 billion is used to increase elementary school teachers’ competency in remote areas.

Training and Education budget will be distributed to 19 thousand teacher working groups in 199 kabupaten/kota. “Last year, teachers in remote areas did not receive any budget. This year we will pay attention to them,” says Director for Development of Educationand Training of the Department of Education Sumarna Surapranata to the press on Tuesday (9/23). 

According to Sumarna, to the working groups and pada KKG Musyawarah Guru Mata pelajaran (MGMP) in all parts of Indonesia, the Department will donate Rp 10 and Rp 15 million each to increase teacher competency. In addition, for 75 cities including qualified districts, each will receive Rp 25 million. And for KKG and MGMP in remote areas which are included in qualified districts, they will receive Rp 125 million. “Besides, 199 kabupaten/kota included in the list of remote areas according to the Ministry of Rural Development will receive Rp 25 million for KKG and Rp 50 million for MGMP,” he explains.

For KKG and MGMP that intends to apply for support, says Sumarna, they can submit a proposal of activity plan to the education office at kabupaten/kota. This is meant to make sure that education and training which are conducted by KKG and MGMP suit the needs of teachers. "They are the ones that know their needs the most. So, this is really what the teachers want and not a governmental project. If they want to intensify studies in physics or Kurikulum Tingkat Satuan Pendidikan (KTSP) it is up to them. The main thing is we prepare the module, the money is for paying for training expenses,” he remarks.

Further, Sumarna stated that the budget is relatively small. Therefore, he hopes that teachers will seek for additional training budget from other sources, for example from local education offices. Oleh karena itu, ia berharap guru mau mencari tambahan dana diklat dari tempat lain, misalnya dari anggaran dinas pendidikan setempat. Or using 10 percent of the school operational funds is also an option.

The increase in teacher competency, says Sumarna, is not only restricted to teachers who have no degree. S1 teachers, he continues,  can use these trainings for their portfolio and to increase competency. Basically, teacher competency must continually be improved. “With education and training, at least two goals are reached. First, teachers know about KTSP, not just socialization of the meaning of KTSP. Second, so teachers can receive training on lesson materials,” he explains.