Teachers Quit School Program Over Distant Assignments

Government criticized for overlooking placement policy flaws affecting underprivileged students

Hundreds of educators hired for the government’s People’s Schools initiative have resigned, citing excessively long commutes to their assigned teaching posts. This exodus highlights alleged governmental negligence in teacher placement, raising concerns about the program’s impact on disadvantaged youth.

Concerns Over Governance Failure

Ubaid Matraji, National Coordinator of the Indonesian Education Monitoring Network, voiced strong criticism, stating the government appears to ignore how distant assignments reflect a deeper issue. He believes the problem stems from a lack of field verification and teacher involvement in placement decisions.

“The government seems to turn a blind eye to the fact that the distant placement of teachers is a symptom of a larger problem.”

—Ubaid Matraji, National Coordinator, Indonesian Education Monitoring Network

Matraji also questioned the Social Minister’s assurance of readily available replacements. He argued that an easily replaceable teaching force suggests that the continuity and caliber of instruction in these schools are not primary concerns, potentially turning students from impoverished backgrounds into experimental subjects for government projects.

Impact on Vulnerable Students

The Indonesian education system faces challenges in ensuring equitable opportunities, with underprivileged students often bearing the brunt of policy shortcomings. In 2023, data from the World Bank indicated that students from low-income households in Indonesia were still significantly behind their wealthier peers in learning outcomes, a gap that initiatives like People’s Schools aim to address but can exacerbate if poorly managed (World Bank Indonesia Overview).

He expressed alarm that the People’s Schools program might be treated as a mere trial run. This approach, Matraji contends, is detrimental to children from disadvantaged communities who deserve superior educational experiences. “They are increasingly marginalized by policies that should uplift them. The current system is unjust,” he stated.

Government Response and Teacher Pool

Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf acknowledged that 160 People’s School teachers have resigned due to remote assignments. However, he reassured the public that the situation is manageable, pointing to a substantial pool of approximately 50,000 teachers currently undergoing professional education and awaiting placement.

“There are many teachers ready to replace them, as there are more than 50,000 teachers who are undergoing the teacher professional education process (PPG) awaiting placement.”

—Saifullah Yusuf, Social Minister

This substantial reserve is intended to fill vacancies swiftly, ensuring the program’s continuation. Meanwhile, plans for the second phase of People’s School construction are slated to commence in September 2025, indicating an ongoing commitment to expanding the initiative.