By: Ivan Aditya )*
Education is the main foundation in building a quality future for the nation. In the education ecosystem, teachers have a central role as the spearhead in producing a generation that is intelligent, has noble character, and is highly competitive. However, behind the progress of the world of education, there is still a reality that needs to be considered, namely the existence of honorary teachers who have devoted themselves with full dedication but have not always received commensurate appreciation and welfare. Therefore, the government’s policy in providing allowances to honorary teachers deserves to be appreciated as a real form of concern for the sustainability and quality of national education.
For years, honorary teachers have been the backbone of many schools, especially in remote areas, outlying areas, and areas with limited teaching staff. They fill the vacant positions of permanent teachers with extraordinary enthusiasm, even though they often have to work under pressure with minimal salaries, without guaranteed employment, and with limited facilities. In the midst of these conditions, the government’s policy of starting to pay more attention to honorary teachers by providing allowances is a breath of fresh air that raises new enthusiasm and hope.
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu’ti, said that starting in July 2025, the government will start distributing allowances of IDR 300 thousand per month to honorary teachers throughout Indonesia. This policy is part of the government’s efforts to improve the welfare of non-ASN educators who have not received a decent income. With this policy, it is hoped that the enthusiasm and dedication of honorary teachers in educating the nation’s generation will increase.
Honorary teacher allowances are not only financially meaningful, but are also a form of moral recognition of their services and dedication. This shows that the government is not turning a blind eye to the hard work of non-PNS educators who have helped build the national education system from the bottom up. This allowance is also a strategic step in efforts to improve the quality of education, because teacher welfare is closely related to the performance and quality of learning in the classroom.
In recent years, various programs and initiatives have been launched by the government, both central and regional, to strengthen the position of honorary teachers. In addition, there is also an affirmative policy in the selection process for Government Employees with Work Agreements (PPPK), which provides wider opportunities for honorary teachers to obtain a more stable status and decent allowances.
This allowance policy is certainly not without challenges. In its implementation, synergy is needed between various parties, starting from the Ministry of Education, Regional Education Offices, to school principals and managers of educational institutions. Accurate data collection, transparency in distribution, and strict supervision are important factors so that allowances really reach those who are entitled. However, the government’s good intentions to continue to improve this system deserve support and encouragement from all levels of society.
Meanwhile, the Head of the East Java Education Office, Aries Agung Paewai, said that his party welcomed and expressed appreciation for the attention given by the central government to honorary teachers. Regarding the distribution of assistance, his party is still waiting for further technicalities. With the allowance, it is hoped that honorary teachers can be more enthusiastic in carrying out their duties and responsibilities as teachers.
Then, with this allowance, it can encourage them to focus more on their educational duties, because some of the economic burden has been slightly reduced. Thus, this policy indirectly contributes to improving the quality of education as a whole.
In addition, the provision of allowances for honorary teachers also strengthens the value of social justice in the education system. Honorary teachers who have worked with the same enthusiasm as civil servant teachers are now starting to receive fairer treatment. Although not yet completely equal, this step is a promising start. The government, through related ministries or institutions, continues to evaluate and adjust so that in the future, the welfare gap between teachers can be minimized.
It is also important to see this allowance within the framework of sustainable national development. Good quality education can only be achieved if educators feel prosperous and appreciated. Investment in teachers, including honorary teachers, is a long-term investment that will have a major impact on the quality of Indonesia’s human resources in the future. Therefore, attention to teacher welfare must continue to be a priority in national planning and budgeting.
Through the honorary teacher allowance policy, the government hasshow their commitment to improving the education system from the root. Although there are still many things that need to be fixed, this step is on the right track. It is hoped that in the future, this policy can be improved again, both in terms of the amount of benefits, the scope of recipients, and the ease of administration. With the spirit of mutual cooperation and cooperation between the government, the community, and the teachers themselves, the ideal of realizing quality education for all children of the nation is not impossible. )* The author is a public policy observer
