Project Database
PGRI / EI Consortium Project
| Country: | Indonesia |
| Start Date: | 1998-01-01 |
| Deadline: | 2010-12-31 |
| Host organisations: |
Teachers' Association of the Republic of Indonesia
(PGRI)
|
| Co-operating organisations: |
Swedish Teachers' Union/Lärarförbundet
Utdanningsforbundet/Union of Education Norway (UEN) Japan Teachers' Union (JTU) Australian Education Union (AEU) National Education Association (NEA) |
| Related Links: | |
Project Summary:
In 1999, EI put together a consortium consisting of the following cooperating partners: Lärarförbundet (Sweden), Utdanningsförbundet (Norway), Japan Teachers' Union (Japan), Australian Education Union (Australia) and National Education Association (USA) to cooperate with PGRI to become an independent, democratic and effective teachers' organisation.
A pilot project was initiated in two provinces in 2000, and within seven years gradually increased to 26 out of 33 provinces. The programme mainly targets provincial and district level leaders.
A meeting is held annually to evaluate and plan for each subsequent year with representatives from the five cooperating organisations.
PGRI is now playing an active role in the labour movement in Indonesia.
Aims of the project:
• Strengthen PGRI as a teacher trade union
• Make the organisation more democratic, independent, transparent and sustainable
• Improve the quality free education for all
1) Created awareness of trade unionism, good governance, transparency and accountability at all levels of the organisation
2) To get 20% budget allocation by government for education at national and regional levels to be able to addressed the problems faced by education, teachers, children, and to achieve the quality education for all
3) Promoted greater participation of women and young leaders in the decision-making process and all activities of the union
4) Created a pool of skilled trainers in the districts and provinces
5) Dealt with the organisational finance and made the organisation financially independent
6) Improved communication process within the organisation among the national, provincial and district levels
Expected Results:
At least 1,440 leaders and active members from 28 provinces will have the :
• awareness and understanding on their rights and responsibility as the agents of changes both as teachers and union members
• skill to negotiate with their respective districts, provinces and national government to increase the budget for education
Working Methods:
1. Education and Training:
There are two levels of education methodology: the first level is for the members and leaders from the provinces who have not participated in the seminars/trainings/workshops on trade unionism before and the second level is for the selected potential participants of the previous seminars. The second level will consist of special courses on Union Finance, Leadership and Training of Trainers.
2. Communications
The publication and distribution of provincial newsletters to the members on regular basis in 28 provinces to improve communication and to disseminate information, to increase awareness of trade unionism, including their rights and responsibilities as teachers as well as union members/leaders.
Number of Participants in this country: 1,440 (in 2008)
Gender Perspective: 50%
Recent updates:
The once in five year Congress of PGRI was successfully conducted in Palembang, South Sumatera, Indonesia, addressed by the President of the Republic of Indonesia and the General Secretary of Education International. The speech of Fred Van Leeuwen strongly touched the audience including the president of the country. It made the president change his speech on the spot, by adding the instruction to all departments and all government authorities at all levels in all over Indonesia to work together to achieve quality Education for All and improve the welfare and status of teachers. He thanked EI for its good work and support and promised that he will fulfil the appeal of the teachers.
The Congress amended PGRI Constitution and By-Laws by stating that at least 30% of leaders must be women.
PGRI Congress amended its Constitution and By-Law regarding membership dues to increase the amount of dues by three times.
The amendment of constitution has always been the important topic in all of the EI-PGRI-Consortium Project Seminars.
13 August 2008
The Constitutional Court won PGRI case to abolish the Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 16 Year 2008 regarding national budget and expenditures, which violated the Indonesian Constitution 1945 The Constitution Court appeals to the government to provide at least 20% of the budget (national, provincial, district) by the latest in 2009.
15 August 2008
HE Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of the Republic of Indonesia, in addressing his official report and government statement on the National Budget and Expenditures Plan stated that the Government of Indonesia shall allocate in its National Budget and Expenditure Plan for the year 2009, to fulfil the budget for education as 20% of the budget plan 2009.
In 2009 a series of activities were implemented. An evaluation and planning meeting was held in Jakarta, in February. Following this meeting, a series of 32 3-day provincial seminars were organised from June to November in Ambon, Bali, Bangka Belitung, Banten, Bengkulu, Central Java, Central Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi, DKI Jakarta, East Java, East Kalimantan, East Nusa Tenggara, Gorontalo, Jakarta, Jambi, Lampung, North Maluku, North Sulawesi, North Sumatera, Riau, South Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, South East Sulawesi, South Sumatera, West Java, West Kalimantan, West Nusa Tenggara, West Sumatera and Yogyakarta,
Each seminar was attended by 40 participants from various districts in the provinces. Among the topics discussed were: Trade Union Principles; Education International – its structure and programmes; Leadership; Decision Making Processes; Union Finance; PGRI and its Constitution; Teachers’ and Lecturers’ Law; Negotiation and Collective Bargaining.
Aside from these seminars, work focused on strengthening the financial situation of PGRI, increasing the membership dues collected, and improving the collection of dues. 3 special courses on Finance were held in Jakarta in November and December 2009.
Similar projects elsewhere in the region:
Cambodia - Democratic Leadership Training China - Legal Education India - John Thompson Fellowship Programme Asia India - Membership education Kazakhstan - EI Central Asia Initiative Kyrgyzstan - EI Central Asia Initiative Malaysia - John Thompson Fellowship Programme Mongolia - Trade Union Training Nepal - Trade Union Training Sri Lanka - Trade Union Training Tajikistan - EI Central Asia Initiative Thailand - Leadership Training Uzbekistan - EI Central Asia Initiative
