Disbursement of Performance Allowances for Lecturers Reflects the State’s Commitment to Academia
Jakarta — The Indonesian government has demonstrated tangible support and full commitment to higher education by ensuring the disbursement of performance allowances (tunjangan kinerja or tukin) for 31,066 civil servant lecturers under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek).
This disbursement is a strategic move underscoring the state’s presence in promoting the welfare and professionalism of teaching staff in higher education institutions. The policy is backed by Presidential Regulation No. 19 of 2025, with an allocated budget of IDR 2.66 trillion—highlighting the government’s boldness and concern for quality education.
Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Brian Yuliarto, emphasized that his ministry has proactively and progressively prepared the technical guidelines (juknis) and draft ministerial regulations to implement this policy. This proves Kemendiktisaintek’s readiness to translate the President’s vision into real, actionable policies.
“We aim to complete the technical regulations this month, so the performance allowances can start disbursing by mid-year,” stated Brian Yuliarto.
He further explained that lecturers’ performance allowances are fairly calculated based on semester evaluations. Since lecturers’ responsibilities include the Tridharma of Higher Education—teaching, research, and community service—they cannot be assessed on a monthly basis. This reflects the government’s recognition of the unique characteristics of the academic profession and strengthens the integrity of academic performance assessment.
The disbursement is planned to begin in July 2025 for the first semester’s performance, reflecting the government’s strong commitment to swiftly improving lecturers’ welfare.
Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani added that the performance allowances would be retroactively applied from January 1, 2025, even though the Presidential Regulation was issued in April. This demonstrates the government’s fiscal courage and social sensitivity in advocating for lecturers’ rights. She also explained that the allowance covers the difference between the professional allowance and the tukin based on job classification—substantially increasing lecturers’ incomes.
“For example, if a professor receives a professional allowance of IDR 6 million, they may receive an additional differential of up to IDR 12 million if it equates to the tukin for an Echelon II position,” explained Sri Mulyani.
This scheme applies to lecturers at state universities with working unit (satker) status, public service agencies (BLU), and Higher Education Service Institutions (LLDikti), showing that the government ensures equity across all segments of the higher education system.
This policy is a concrete embodiment of social justice and the state’s support for the nation’s educators. The government not only acknowledges the strategic role of lecturers in shaping future generations and contributing to national development, but also actively promotes bureaucratic reform that directly improves the quality of national education.
