Blackboard jungle: The plight of Indonesia s honorary teachers
Hundreds of thousands of non-permanent teachers grapple with low wages and weak job protection
Non-permanent teachers at a state high school in Manggarai district, East Nusa Tenggara province, hold a rally to protest against unfair practices in July 2020. (Photo supplied)
After teaching for 16 years at a public elementary school in Bone district of South Sulawesi province, Hervina takes home 500,000 rupiah (US$35) a month, plus an incentive of 700,000 rupiah which she gets every four months.
Her recent move to share her situation on social media went viral and sparked a public outcry.
As she was accused of damaging the reputation of the school, the principal fired her but later reinstated her after intervention from the local and central governments.