For more than three decades, 55-year-old Saryono has dedicated his life to teaching in one of Sukabumi’s most remote areas.
Yet, despite this unwavering commitment, his monthly income remains just Rp 350,000 (approx. S$27) and is only disbursed once every three months, depending on the disbursement of government school funding.
According to Kompas.com, this honorarium is drawn from the Bantuan Operasional Sekolah (BOS) or School Operational Assistance Fund.
“If you’re an honorary teacher now, the pay is only Rp 350,000 (approx. S$27) every three months, because the honorarium only comes once the BOS funds are disbursed,” said Saryono.
Decades of Service in Isolation
Saryono began teaching at Madrasah Ibtidaiyah (MI) Tegal Panjang in Desa Sidamulya, Kecamatan Ciemas, Indonesia, in 1992.
At the time, access was so limited that he had to walk to school through rural terrain, with no reliable transportation or infrastructure.
“I started teaching in 1992, so it’s been 33 years now. It’s been a real struggle. Back then, I was paid from tuition fees collected from the community, only Rp 10,000 (approx. S$0.78) a month. There’s no young generation here because the place is far from the city, remote, and isolated,” he recalled.
The Struggles of Daily Travel
Today, Saryono uses a second-hand motorbike he bought three years ago to travel to school, a 7-kilometre journey that takes about 30 minutes.
The trip becomes particularly difficult during the rainy season, with muddy roads and dangerous conditions that make commuting a challenge.
Family Responsibility
In addition to teaching, Saryono shoulders the responsibility of supporting his wife, children, and two elderly in-laws who are no longer able to care for themselves.
To support his whole family, he farms secondary crops. His wife also runs a small home business to keep herself busy.
A Career Without Recognition
Over the years, Saryono has repeatedly tried to become a civil servant (Pegawai Negeri Sipil or PNS) or a government contract teacher (Pegawai Pemerintah dengan Perjanjian Kerja or PPPK).
However, Saryono has never been appointed. Now 55, he still hopes the Indonesian government will finally acknowledge his decades of service.
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