TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Iman Zanatul Haeri, Head of the Teacher Advocacy Division of the Education and Teachers Association (P2G) in Indonesia, highlighted the significant decline in the portion of education budget transfers from the central government to regional governments over the past three years. He believes this policy has had a direct impact on regional governments' ability to finance teachers, particularly government employees with work agreements (PPPK).
According to data presented by P2G, in 2024 the total education budget will reach Rp655 trillion. Of that amount, transfers to regions and village funds will account for Rp346 trillion, or 52.82 percent. However, in 2025, although the total education budget will increase to Rp724 trillion, transfers to regions will only amount to around Rp347.9 trillion, or 48.08 percent.
A sharper decline will occur in 2026. Of the total education budget of Rp769 trillion, transfers to regions will shrink to Rp264 trillion, or only 34.33 percent. "This means that even though the total education budget has increased, the portion transferred to the regions has actually decreased drastically," said Iman when contacted on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
Iman stated that the reduction in transfers has impacted more than 500 regional governments, which have experienced a reduction in education funding. As a result, several regions are reportedly unable to pay the full salaries of PPPK teachers.
According to data compiled by P2G, PPPK teachers in Musi Rawas Regency, South Sumatra, only receive a salary of around Rp100,000 per month. In Dompu Regency, West Nusa Tenggara, it's around Rp139,000 per month. Meanwhile, in Langkat Regency, North Sumatra, and Blitar Regency, East Java, the salary range is around Rp500,000 per month.
According to Iman, this situation reflects the fiscal pressure experienced by regions after the portion of the education budget transfer was cut. "If the transfer funds to regions from the education post decrease, the regional government's fiscal space to finance education will automatically shrink," he said.
The P2G also suspects that the reduction in regional transfers has impacted the additional employee income (TPP) for teachers, both PPPK and PNS teachers. TPP is known to originate from regional transfers (TKD).
Iman cited the decline in TPP in Banten Province, which is suspected to be directly related to the reduction in TKD from the education budget in the 2026 State Budget. "I think it's reasonable to suspect that the decline in Banten Province's TPP is a direct result of the reduction in TKD from the education budget, which was reduced in the 2026 education budget," he said.
P2G is asking the central government to clarify the education budget allocation scheme to avoid a ripple effect on teacher welfare in the regions. They are also urging an evaluation of education fiscal policy to prevent harm to educators who are on the front lines of education services.
Previously, a PPPK teacher in Banten Province complained about the planned reduction in TPP, which was said to be 40 percent of the previous amount. This information was circulated in a draft of this year's performance allowance disbursement.
"The latest news is that the draft circulating has been submitted to the finance department for approval. However, the amount has been adjusted or reduced. We PPPK (Employees in the Field of Education) are being sacrificed for regional efficiency," said a PPPK teacher from Tangerang City who wished to be identified only as Ilham, Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
Another PPPK teacher, let's call him Amir, revealed that since he was appointed as a PPPK teacher in August 2025, he has never received a single TPP. "Now, suddenly, there's news that this year we will receive a TPP of Rp350,000. Honestly, that's very disappointing for us PPPK teachers from the 2025 intake," Amir told Tempo on Sunday, March 1, 2026.
Amir suspects that all the bad news about teacher entitlements being cut is due to the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program. He has felt its impact deeply since the MBG program was introduced. "I think it's because of the MBG that there are adjustments like this," he said.
Another PPPK teacher, let's call him Budi, said that previously, PPPK members from 2021 to 2024 received a monthly allowance of Rp2.5 million. However, in the latest draft, this amount was reduced to Rp1.5 million. Meanwhile, PPPK members from 2025 were only listed as receiving Rp350,000 per month. "This is just a draft, but if we remain silent and don't speak out, it might be implemented," Budi said when contacted on Thursday, February 26, 2026.
Previously, high school and vocational school teachers under the auspices of the Banten Provincial Government, Budi said, received three income components: a base salary, additional allowances for duties such as homeroom teacher or vice principal, and the TPP. However, this additional allowance was unilaterally removed in 2024, arguing that the duties were inherent in the teaching function. "Without any publicity, it suddenly disappeared," he said.
Tempo has attempted to contact the Head of the Banten Provincial Education Office, Jamaludin. As of this writing, Jamaludin has not responded.
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