General Chairperson of the Indonesian Teachers Association (PGRI) Unifah Rosyidi said the technological disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has become a turning point that changed the organization’s direction and strategy to raise its members’ dignity.

“The pandemic has encouraged the teachers to learn from each other,” she remarked here on Sunday at the commemoration of the National Teacher’s Day and PGRI Anniversary, both are celebrated on November 25.

The association had facilitated millions of its members to teach and learn from each other in various webinars and workshops, Rosyidi added.

The activities were carried out massively in provinces, districts/cities, and branches — especially when a number of the members were about to take the assessment for Contract-based Government Employees (PPPK) teachers.

According to Rosyidi, learning technology innovations had been the most discussed topic in the training which had strengthened the members’ solidarity and fought for their values through various interesting media.

“PGRI’s initiative has also made learning and training can be accessed for all,” she stated.

Furthermore, she thanked President Joko Widodo for listening to the teachers’ complaints, especially in solving various problems of honorarium teachers, as well as teachers in the outermost, remote, and underdeveloped areas.

She also lauded the President for prioritizing teachers, lecturers, and students to get COVID-19 vaccine.

In addition, Rosyidi urged policy makers to make teacher recruitment through the PPPK scheme more equitable, set some deregulations in education sector, and adjust teacher certification to the Law on Teachers and Lecturers.

She also asked the government to avoid any unilateral termination of teacher professional allowances, facilitate the promotions for teachers, and conduct continuous training for all teachers to improve the quality of education.

Meanwhile, the Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Minister, Nadiem Anwar Makarim, has asked the teachers to always performs their duties professionally.

“PGRI has become a professional teacher organization which encourages the birth of superior and tough educators,” he remarked.

Source: Antara News