Yogyakarta (Kompas: 04/12/06) Many consider teacher is a second-class profession. Not many people want to be a teacher unless they do not have any other choice or being jobless. There is an impression that any university graduate could be a teacher if the person wants to. The work is easy: going to work in the morning, teaching and come home in the afternoon.

Being a teacher is considered as an easy work. Many people forget that teacher play an important role in education process. Even though a teacher is not the sole factor that determine the success of education; yet, teacher is still the main hub in education process. Without teachers, education process will limp. 

The introduction of Teachers and Lecturers Law has brought fresh air for teacher’s profession. The law will become a legal umbrella; it is also represent the government’s recognition for teachers’ profession. The law will hopefully nurture appreciation for teachers; and teachers’ profession could hopefully be in line with other professions, and it could encourage teachers’ quality development, and eventually boosts the education quality improvement in the country.

At least, the introduction of the Law on Teachers and Lecturers makes teachers’ profession becomes more attractive, especially as the law promises a better welfare in the form of monthly allowance amounting one month salary and functional allowance. However, the Law on Teachers and Lecturers also brings some quite difficult consequences for teachers. One the one hand, this law promises welfare for teachers; on the other hand, it also demands many requirements from teachers. 

Before enjoying the monthly allowance whose amount is equal to a monthly salary and functional allowance totaling Rp 500.000 per month, a teacher has to meet several requirements: academic qualification of S1 or D-IV, holding education certificate acquired through professional training and a series of competency tests. Those requirements seemed normal; it is like wise for requirements of other profession. However it is different when we are talking about teachers’ profession in this country. Related to the current condition of teachers in the country, those requirements are quite big challenges.

1.8 million out of 2.7 million teachers in this country has not met the academic qualification of S1 degree. In the secondary school level, it is not so bad; 62.08 % of secondary school teachers hold S1 degree. However, in basic education level, mainly elementary school, the situation is much worse. Only 8.3 percent out of 1.3 million elementary school teachers have met the S1 qualification. The government’s program to make elementary school teachers hold the D2 have took over ten years and the result was only 40%. Most elementary school teachers only hold D-1 degree or less. 

In order to meet the academic requirement of S1 some 1.8 million teachers have to go back to school; while the Law on Teachers and Lecturers only gave up to 10 years to fulfill the requirement. Is it feasible? Where do the funds come from? Will the government manage to cover the expenses? 

If teachers have to pay for their education, it seems difficult to realize due to their current living condition. Moreover, we should take into consideration the limitations of Teachers’ Training Institute (LPTK) to accommodate teachers who want to pursue higher education to obtain the S1 degree. It is almost certain that many teachers would not be able to catch up. Which means in 10 years from now there would be many teachers who has not meet the S-1 qualification. Such a situation will create a tight competition among teachers. Teachers have to compete against each other if they want to survive being a teacher.