6,296 Teachers being Sent to 3T Areas in 2017

Suara Pembaruan, page 17, Friday 30 June

A lack of teachers in the frontier, outermost, and underdeveloped (3T) areas often occurs. This was stated by the Director General of Teacher and Education Personnel (Dirjen GTK) of the Minister of Education and Culture (Kemendikbud) Sumarna Surapranata. To address the lack of teacher in 3T areas, the government sends teachers to such areas every year. He continued that there were 6,296 Front Line Teachers (GGD) especially being sent to teach in 3T areas in 2017.

Pranata explained that such teachers would be placed in 183 regencies/cities of 3T areas all over Indonesia. The GGD selection already ran last year, however the result has only just been announced because the adjustment to Law Number 23 Year 2014 concerning Local Government. GGD selection was taken by 6,315 participants of 6,348 registrants implemented in 107 competency test places (TUK) across Indonesia.

The General Secretary of Kemendikbud, Didik Suhardi, said that the placement was the last process of GGD selection. Therefore, filling and verification were not necessary. He expected that all GGD would be able to work smoothly and feel at home living in 3T areas.

Meanwhile, the General Head of Indonesian Teacher’s Association (PGRI), Unifah Rosyidi, said that lack of teachers often occurred in the local areas, because of the difference in teacher number data owned by government. The other reason is the fate of honorary teachers, which rarely receives any attention. She expected that the government should provide a chance for honorary teachers who have already met state civil apparatus’ (ASN) qualification to be appointed.