Jakarta (Koran Tempo: 29/11/06) The Ministry of National Education will increase the allowance for teachers working in private and state schools starting from 2007. The increase is expected to be realized by the end of 2008 the latest. “We are trying to make all teachers working in state and private schools to get sufficient functional allowance," Director General of Teachers and Education Workers’ Quality Improvement Fasli Jalal speaking after the Indonesian Teachers’ Conference yesterday.

According to Fasli, teachers working in state institutions will receive at least Rp 500 ,000 per month; while those working in private institutions will get up to Rp 500 ,000 per month. The allowance will be increased gradually. Next year, the functional allowance will be increased by Rp 100,000. “Private teachers from all academic rank will receive Rp200 thousands per month," Fasli said.

Previously civil servant teachers have received functional allowance depending on their rank. Those of Rank II get Rp 160 thousands; those of Rank III get Rp 210 thousands and those of Rank IV get Rp 280,000 per month. Meanwhile, private teachers did not receive any allowance because they do not have any academic rank.

The Ministry of National Education will give academic titles for private teachers. These titles represent various ranks such as, junior teacher (guru muda), middle-ranking teacher (guru madya) and senior teacher (guru utama). “The amount of their functional allowance will depend on their academic title,” Fasli said.

Meanwhile, Ministry of National Education has earmarked Rp 360 billion to cover the allowance of 20,000 teachers who will pass the certification test in 2006. “Hopefully, we can start to pay as of January 1st 2007,” Fasli stated. The Ministry of National Education expects that as much as 355 thousands teachers will pass certification test. 20 thousands are expected to pass the test this year; 200 thousands in 2007 and 135 thousands teachers in 2008.

Allowance for teachers who pass certification test in 2006 and 2007 will be covered by the central government. Whereas the allowance for those passing the test in 2008 will be covered by regional administration. “If the Ministry of Finance approves this strategic plan, we will ask regional government to pay for the allowance,” he said. The Ministry of National Education has allocated Rp 320 billion this year to pay the allowance of teachers who passed certification test living in remote areas or in the border. It also allocates Rp 350 billion for teachers’ qualification improvement in all regions.