Honorary Teachers Cry on DPRD Floor, Decades of Service Overlooked
Dozens of long-serving teachers in Batam broke down in tears during a heated public hearing at the Batam Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) on January 7, 2025. Despite decades of service, many were excluded from the PPPK (Government Employees with Work Agreements) selection process, sparking outrage and raising concerns about fairness and transparency in Indonesia’s education sector.
The Indonesian government’s PPPK initiative aims to provide contractual roles for civil servants, prioritizing teachers with long-standing service records. However, in Batam, many veteran teachers allege that their years of dedication were disregarded in favor of less experienced hires under the BOS (School Operational Assistance) program. This perceived injustice has led to protests, emotional appeals, and widespread disappointment among the teaching community.
Veteran Educators Replaced by “Newcomers”
Teachers like Maryuliansyah, who has devoted 18 years to teaching in Batam, expressed their heartbreak. “I feel defeated by those who have only taught for a year or two. We were promised 100% prioritization, but that was a lie,” said Maryuliansyah, her voice trembling.
The betrayal stung deeper as Maryuliansyah recalled the mayor’s earlier promise to prioritize veteran teachers during a ceremony in Engku Putri. “We trusted those words, but now, we’re left to wonder if they ever meant anything.”
A Heartbreaking Tale from Remote Belakang Padang
Among the most poignant stories is that of a teacher from Pulau Terong, Belakang Padang. For 19 years, she braved rough seas daily on a small boat to educate children in an isolated community. Despite her sacrifice, she was deemed unqualified in the PPPK selection.
Activist Yusril Koto, who attended the hearing, condemned the system’s disregard for such dedication. “This teacher has spent nearly two decades risking her safety for education. How can someone with two years of experience surpass her? This is not just unfair—it’s cruel,” he said.
Allegations of Manipulation and Flaws in the System
Teachers and activists have raised concerns about possible data manipulation during the selection process. “The system lacks transparency,” Yusril alleged. “We believe there’s been collusion in data entry. These teachers are victims of a flawed and opaque system.”
The frustration was amplified by what teachers saw as a lack of accountability from local authorities. “If everything is decided by BKN (National Civil Service Agency), then what is the role of our local government? Why are they silent?” Yusril questioned.
Part-Time PPPK Scheme Offers Limited Consolation
In response, Batam’s education office proposed a temporary part-time PPPK scheme. Teachers would work four hours daily, earning the equivalent of their current honorary salaries—ranging from IDR 2.07 million to IDR 5.61 million (SGD 172–467).
However, many dismissed this as insufficient. “We don’t want charity; we want recognition for our years of service,” said another teacher, tears welling up in her eyes.
Fading Hopes in the Council Chamber
The teachers left the DPRD session with shattered hopes as the hearing failed to deliver any meaningful resolution. Despite their emotional appeals, the response from DPRD members and the Batam Education Office was seen as deflecting responsibility, with officials insisting that the selection process was entirely managed by BKN. “What is the role of local government if they can’t even advocate for us? Why is everyone passing the blame?” lamented Yusril Koto, a vocal education activist.
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Tri Wahyu Rubianto, Batam’s Head of Education, explained that the selection was conducted electronically and based purely on scoring. However, for the teachers, this technical explanation offered little solace. “We are not just numbers in a system. Our decades of service should count for something,” said one tearful educator, her voice heavy with despair.
A Plan to Bring the Fight to Jakarta
Undeterred, the teachers announced plans to escalate their grievances to Indonesia’s national parliament. “This is not just about us,” said Maryuliansyah. “This is about justice for every teacher who has dedicated their lives to education. We cannot let our sacrifices be erased.”
This emotional protest at Batam DPRD shines a harsh light on Indonesia’s education policies and recruitment systems. It is a stark reminder of the sacrifices made by educators and the systemic failures that often overlook their contributions. For Singaporeans and international visitors, this highlights the shared regional challenge of ensuring fairness in public service recruitment.
Long-serving teachers in Batam protested the PPPK recruitment process, citing favoritism toward newer hires. Heartbreaking stories, including a teacher braving daily boat rides for 19 years, highlighted the emotional toll. Despite a proposed part-time scheme, the teachers plan to take their fight to Jakarta for justice.
Sources: Gudang Berita, Batam News (2025)
Keywords: Batam Teachers Protest, Unfair Recruitment Process, PPPK Controversy
