By: Naura Astika )*
The Indonesian government continues to demonstrate its commitment to strengthening the higher education sector, especially in efforts to improve the welfare of State Civil Apparatus (ASN) lecturers. One real form of this commitment is through the provision of Performance Allowances (Tukin) for ASN lecturers who work at state universities. The provision of this tukin is not only an additional income, but also a form of appreciation for the performance of lecturers in carrying out the tridharma of higher education: education, research, and community service.
From 2020 to 2024, many ASN lecturers have not received the tukin in full due to budget constraints. However, in 2025, the government through the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendikti Saintek) ensured that the tukin would be disbursed, although not entirely in accordance with the proposal submitted. Secretary General of the Ministry of Education and Science and Technology, Togar M. Simatupang, said that of the total proposed budget of IDR 2.8 trillion, the government through the Ministry of Finance has only approved IDR 2.5 trillion. He explained that the disbursement will still be carried out in order to maintain the enthusiasm and trust of lecturers in the country’s commitment.
In an effort to distribute this tukin fairly, the Ministry of Education and Science and Technology has prepared three distribution schemes. The first scheme focuses on lecturers at State Universities (PTN) Work Units (Satker) and Public Service Agencies (BLU) who have not received any remuneration at all. This scheme requires an allocation of funds of IDR 2.8 trillion. The second scheme targets lecturers who have received remuneration, but the value is still below the national tukin standard, with a budget requirement of around IDR 3.6 trillion. Meanwhile, the third scheme, which is comprehensive, is aimed at all ASN lecturers with an estimated budget of up to IDR 8.2 trillion.
Strengthening the payroll system will encourage professionalism and equal distribution of education quality throughout Indonesia. He expressed optimism that with the support of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives, the additional budget needed could be realized in the revision of the State Budget (APBN) in August 2025.
Performance allowances for ASN lecturers are not only financial incentives, but also moral encouragement to continue to improve the professionalism and quality of higher education in Indonesia. The government through the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) together with the Ministry of PANRB and the Ministry of Finance continues to encourage bureaucratic reform, including in terms of ASN salary governance to be fairer, more transparent, and performance-based.
Meanwhile, the Director General of Diktiristek, Khairul Munadi, said that his party had conducted socialization to university leaders regarding the development of ASN lecturer tukin policies and requested that all information received be forwarded to the academic community in a transparent manner.
The assessment of ASN lecturer performance in the context of tukin includes various aspects, including lecturer workload (BKD), annual performance achievements, and contributions to the main performance indicators (IKU) of higher education. This system requires lecturers to have a measurable and well-documented portfolio. Thus, the provision of tukin is not just a formality, but truly reflects the real performance of the lecturer.
However, the implementation of the tukin system for ASN lecturers is not without challenges. One of the main challenges is the difference in human resource capacity and administrative infrastructure in various PTNs in Indonesia. The uneven distribution of performance reporting systems and HR management in each institution can cause inequality in the assessment and provision of tukin. Therefore, a better digitalization and data integration system is needed so that this process runs effectively and fairly.
Vice Chancellor of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Prof. Bambang Sutrisno, said that this policy increases lecturer motivation. However, according to him, the government and campuses must ensure that performance assessments do not turn into administrative burdens that take up lecturers’ time and energy from their main activities, namely teaching and research. He suggested that the performance reporting system be designed to be simpler and digitally based to be effective and efficient.
Although still facing challenges, the tukin policy is considered to have a positive impact. In several universities, the increase in lecturer productivity has begun to be seen, both in the form of an increase in the number of scientific publications, participation in international academic forums, and collaboration with the industrial world. Tukin is also believed to be able to increase the competitiveness of institutions at the national and global levels.
Furthermore, this policy also emphasizes that the government does not only demand high performance from lecturers, but also provides decent compensation. This is important tofor justice and prosperity in the higher education ecosystem, especially amidst the challenges of globalization and digital transformation.
With the gradual implementation of tukin in 2025, it is hoped that ASN lecturers will not only be motivated to work more professionally, but also feel recognized by the state for their contribution in building the future of the nation. Support for lecturers, both in the form of financial rewards and strengthening the work system, is the main foundation in creating superior and competitive universities.
)* Student of Universitas Gadjah Mada
