"Teachers have the most important role and responsibility in developing the character of the new generation."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has stated that the government is committed to improving the competence and welfare of teachers in Indonesia.
Speaking during a coordination meeting at the Ministry of Education and Culture here, the President said the improvement of teachers` competence and welfare was part of government`s efforts to step up the quality of education.
"It is also the government's moral responsibility to ensure the best possible future for the younger generation," he added.
"Teachers have the most important role and responsibility in developing the character of the new generation. Therefore, their competence and welfare must also be taken into account," the head of state noted.
"Teachers` competence should be commensurate with their welfare, which the government improves every year by raising their salaries and allowances," President Yudhoyono said.
"That should result in a better future for the students," he added.
Based on Ministry of Education and Culture data, 285,000 teachers recently took a competency test and their average scores were 42.25 percent, which was below the required standard.
"The competence of teachers` is non-negotiable because it is related with the future of the younger generation," President Yudhoyono explained.
(Uu.LPW/INE/KR-BSR/O001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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