Indonesian lawmakers urge teacher welfare and inclusive education improvements

Indonesian legislators are calling for significant improvements to the nation's education system, focusing on teacher welfare and inclusive learning capabilities.

Mardani Ali Sera, a member of Commission II of the DPR RI, has urged the government to prioritize teacher salary increases in upcoming budget planning, including the 2028 state budget. He emphasized that investments in school infrastructure and educational technology must be accompanied by improved compensation and competency training to ensure educators can effectively prepare students for technological advancements like artificial intelligence.

Separately, MPR Deputy Chair Lestari Moerdijat highlighted critical shortages in special assistant teachers (GPK), which hinder the implementation of inclusive education. Data from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education indicates that while there are over 363,000 students with disabilities in Indonesia, only approximately 15% of inclusive education units have the necessary specialized teaching staff. Moerdijat called for the acceleration of professional training and recruitment to ensure students with special needs receive equitable access to education.