Honorary Teachers Affected by COVID-19 Receive Social Assistance funds for the President's Staple Food

JAKARTA (23 May 2020) – The Ministry of Social Affairs continues to spread social solidarity to reach various elements of society. Today, as many as 1,505 honorary teachers in the DKI Jakarta area receive groceries assistance from the President. The assistance channeled through the Ministry of Social Affairs was handed over directly by the Director General of Social Empowerment Edi Suharto together with TKSK Jatinegara Siti Jauhariah.

This assistance is the President's basic food assistance Phase I given to residents who have not received social assistance at all from the central and regional governments.

"It is hoped that the assistance of the basic food packages from the President can be of benefit to recipients, especially honorary teachers who are affected by COVID-19. It is hoped that before the Idul Fitri, the recipients of social assistance funds will benefit from the president's assistance so that they can celebrate Eid with joy, "said Edi.

A number of honorary teachers of PAUD Cindrawasih in the Kebon Nananas Utara area Rt 10 Rw 04, East Jakarta who were visited directly by the Director General of Social Empowerment said that the assistance they received was very useful. Since the COVID-19 pandemic they have not taught for a long time and have not received income as honorary teachers.

Indah Fuji (54), who has taught as a PAUD teacher for almost 13 years, said that all this time the honorary teachers at Cindrawasih PAUD received a salary of Rp. 100,000 / month. The salary comes from the tuition fees of early childhood education students, which the parents pay to the PAUD in the amount of Rp.30,000 / month.

"Since COVID-19, we no longer teach in class, starting from early March until now teaching and learning activities have been abolished and tuition payments are also eliminated. But because we have a sense of responsibility to the students, we teachers keep in touch regarding lessons with students through the parents in the Whatsapp group, even though there are some parents who don't have cellphones, "said Indah.

Happiness was clearly visible on the faces of the honorary teachers when they received the President's basic food assistance through the Ministry of Social Affairs. This basic food assistance is really helpful for the honorary teachers who for several months have experienced difficulties because they cannot teach as usual which affects their income as honorary teachers.