True Independence Is Intelligence That Prospers All People Without Exception
Author : Jacob Ereste
Freelance Journslist
Teachers indeed play a vital role in shaping the character and intellectual development of the next generation, said Wijaya Kusuma in his presentation “Teachers Are Paid Low, Artists Are Paid High: A Paradox in Professional Appreciation in Indonesia,” as published on social media today, July 18, 2025. In fact, professions in Indonesia are paid very little, in almost all fields of work, including writers, who are expected to contribute to the intellectual life of the nation in Indonesia—not only for works published in the media, but also for books, papers, or scientific studies that require hard work, even in the field.
So, the teaching profession is just one of the fields of work that requires high professionalism, yet many are underpaid because the appreciation for professionalism in Indonesia remains very low. Just like labor wages, which remain unchanged from the regional minimum wage standard, which in practice only covers about 80 percent of the minimum living needs of Indonesian workers.
The fundamental problem is that all professional fields—including writing and journalism—are merely jobs, always assumed to be a means of obtaining employment—because labor in general in Indonesia is still valued extremely low, or even alarmingly so.
Therefore, choosing careers that are more self-sufficient and foster a sense of independence is necessary, so that attitudes and characteristics of dependence on others can be minimized to the maximum extent possible, ultimately leading to a level of bargaining power in all fields of work that is commensurate with the services offered.
Ideally, the salary of an Indonesian teacher could be increased fourfold from what they currently receive. Thus, the quality of education can improve—although it may not immediately equal a fourfold increase in wages—but the quality and intelligence of our students in Indonesia can also be expected to improve.
This means that as long as a teacher’s professional income is not yet sufficient to meet all their living needs in a prosperous manner—though not necessarily abundant—it seems reasonable to expect the quality of our educational output—at all levels—to be competitive and marketable to those seeking professional workers who are able and willing to pay according to the quality of work they can provide.
The objective condition in Indonesia today is that just to meet the minimum needs of honorary teachers—from kindergarten to university level, a teacher—including a professor—must undertake double work or some form of extra work to meet their living expenses, especially to purchase books and obtain additional information from various sources, simply to keep pace with the increasingly rapid progress of the times, leaving behind many things considered obsolete. At least for science and technology, as well as the latest digital developments, so as not to be left behind or marginalized from the field of work they have pursued as a proud profession.
Honorary teachers, like civil servants or state civil servants—especially those still on honorary terms—seem to be in a state of flux, not of stasis. Therefore, career choices for professionals must be more meaningful in their professional field, with a more professional approach—not amateurish—like true competitors or fighters who refuse to depend on choices dictated by others. This ensures that the work they undertake truly pays professionally, not out of compassion, let alone motives of oppression against workers, as in the early days of the industrial revolution and the social revolution, due to the inequality of the powerful oppressing and exploiting the vulnerable, especially workers or laborers.
Therefore, a paradigm of thinking and behaving to be more professional requires enhancing knowledge and skills to be able to work independently while lacking opportunities to pursue work that aligns with one’s profession and expertise. Thus, the stigma of cheap labor, promoted by the Indonesian government solely to pamper investors, has backfired on its own children, many of whom are forced to work abroad.
This will allow the teaching profession to be more dignified and humane. As the founding fathers agreed, fighting for the independence of the Indonesian nation and state was not merely about freedom from colonialism—including now the colonization of our own people—but the most important essence of that independence for the Indonesian nation and state is freedom from poverty and ignorance. In this context, the welfare of teachers is parallel to the nation’s intelligence—or vice versa—the nation’s intelligence must be parallel to equitable prosperity.
Ideally, true independence is intelligence that brings prosperity—or vice versa—provision that brings intelligence to all Indonesians without exception. Because this country belongs to us all, not the inheritance of your ancestors. Therefore, you feel it’s appropriate to keep the nation’s wealth to yourself.**
Banten, July 18, 2025
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