By: Dirandra Falguni )*
The government under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto has shown a strong commitment to providing welfare for teachers in Indonesia. One of the real steps that is currently in the spotlight is the policy of providing allowances to low-income honorary teachers, which will begin to be implemented in July 2025. This program is not only a form of state support for educators, but also proof that the current government is truly present in answering the basic needs of teaching staff.
As conveyed by the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen), Abdul Mu’ti, this allowance program for honorary teachers is designed to provide direct assistance of IDR 300,000 per month to around 310 thousand honorary teachers throughout Indonesia. This program is aimed at honorary teachers who have not been certified, are in income deciles 1 to 10, and do not receive other social assistance from the Ministry of Social Affairs. With this scheme, the government is precisely targeting its assistance to those who need it most.
Not stopping there, President Prabowo also launched an educational assistance program of IDR 3 million per month for honorary teachers who have not completed their D-4 or S-1 education. This program is expected to accelerate the improvement of the quality of educators, while strengthening the foundation of national education in terms of human resources.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is also reforming the allowance distribution system, especially for State Civil Apparatus (ASN) teachers in the regions. Now, the distribution is carried out directly to the teacher’s account, cutting bureaucracy that previously often hampered and slowed down the disbursement of teacher rights. This step has proven effective and has received appreciation from educators.
A counseling teacher at SMAN 4 Tangerang Selatan, Dwi Agus Wibowo, said that this direct distribution system accelerates and ensures that teacher rights are received transparently. The teacher data verification process is currently running smoothly and does not interfere with the allowance distribution process. He said that during the transition period there were no obstacles, on the other hand, the time at the teacher data verification stage was normal and did not interfere with the allowance distribution process.
The same thing was conveyed by the Indonesian language teacher at the same school, Siti Rukiyah, that now the allowances received are no longer delayed as before. Siti Rukiyah said that the provision of allowances was faster than usual, previously sometimes received close to the middle of the year and was distributed in two quarters. She expressed her gratitude to all parties involved in facilitating the distribution of the Teacher Professional Allowance (TPG).
Until the first quarter of 2025, data shows that as many as 587,905 Regional ASN teachers (or around 40% of the total 1,476,964 teachers) have received direct transfers of allowances. This exceeds the initial target set by the government of only around 200 thousand teachers. This success cannot be separated from the collaboration between teachers, local governments, and the Ministry, especially in updating data through the Basic Education Data (Dapodik), account validation in GTK Info, and accelerating the issuance of the Professional Allowance Decree (SKTP).
Several regions recorded the highest distribution percentages, such as Karangasem Regency in Bali (93%), South Papua Province (92%), and Bengkulu City (91%). This achievement shows that with an accountable and efficient system, teachers’ rights can be better fulfilled.
In other regions such as North Maluku, the provincial government has also strengthened its commitment to improving teacher welfare. The Acting Head of the North Maluku Education and Culture Office, Abubakar Abdullah, said that accelerating teacher certification is a top priority for Governor Sherly Laos. Currently, only 50% of the approximately 5,800 teachers have teacher certificates.
The North Maluku Provincial Government is running various APBN-based programs such as payment of certification allowances, incentives for teachers in remote areas, and distribution of the Smart Indonesia Program (PIP). In addition, technical activities such as vocational school practical exams that are not covered by BOSDa are also funded by the APBD, reflecting comprehensive support for the world of education in the region.
In Sukabumi City, the Indonesian Teachers Association (PGRI) continues to fight for improving teacher welfare. The Head of the Sukabumi City PGRI, Roni Abdurahman, said that his party is pushing for the restoration of performance allowances for PNS and P3K teachers that were previously delayed. In addition, he emphasized the importance of accelerating the disbursement of allowances for 78 honorary teachers who already have Teacher Professional Education (PPG) certificates. Our party continues to push for teacher allowances to be paid, one way is by issuing a decree by the regional government.
This comprehensive effort from the central to regional governments shows that education is indeed anational development priorities. Teacher welfare is the main prerequisite for providing quality and equitable education. Without prosperous teachers, it is difficult to imagine the creation of a superior generation that is able to compete in the future.
President Prabowo Subianto has given a clear signal that teacher welfare is not just discourse, but a real agenda that is implemented concretely. Starting from providing allowances for honorary teachers, direct transfers of professional allowances, to encouraging improvements in educator qualifications, all are steps forward in improving the welfare of unsung heroes.
The government is present, and that presence is felt by teachers (not only in big cities), but also in remote areas of the country. The hope is that this enthusiasm and attention can continue to be maintained and expanded, because the quality of Indonesian education can only be as strong as the strength of its educators. And teachers are the foundation of the nation’s future.
)* Government Policy Observer
