MY TEACHER IS THE LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS
Hiroshima and Nagasaki became silent witnesses in the history of Japan's defeat in World War II. After the United States and its allies, managed to destroy these two cities with the tremendous power of the atomic bomb dropped in 1945.
This humanitarian tragedy, in addition to causing quite large material losses, also lost thousands of human lives. In the midst of the country's declining situation in facing the threat of death due to defeat in the war. The impact of this threat was also felt throughout the country, because the condition of Japan after the atomic bomb was truly in a very concerning darkness.
However, Emperor Hirohito as the highest leader of Japan at that time, took the initiative to gather the remaining generals. Then asked them, how many teachers are still alive? not the other way around asking how many soldiers died.
Unexpectedly, this question was very surprising, but the generals firmly said that they were still able to provide security and protect the safety of the Emperor without the help of teachers.
In response to the answers of the council of generals, the Emperor intelligently gave his inspiring review that our nation had fallen due to not learning from experience. Japan is indeed strong in terms of weaponry and war strategy.
But in fact, our troops suffered defeat in conquering the enemy. It seems that we never learned how to make an atomic bomb with such a powerful force that it destroyed the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. How can we possibly rise to catch up, if we do not want to learn, said Emperor Hirohito.
The Emperor's critical response was able to break the argument of the council of generals. Finally, the Emperor immediately took quick steps to gather teachers who were in various corners of the city, and there were still around 45 thousand teachers left.
Their existence actually became the mainstay and hope of the Japanese people, continued His Majesty, no longer depending on the strength of the combat troops or the Heho army. The momentum of this statement was born from the common sense thinking process of a supreme leader, as well as marking a new historical milestone for the rise of Japan to accelerate development into a developed country achieved within 20 years.
The Emperor's statement was not just to commemorate the turning point of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki incidents. But to prove that in the most difficult conditions of the nation, teachers should not be forgotten. Teachers make us familiar with science through numbers, letters, and or reading natural signs. They guide us from a state of ignorance to knowledge, even continuing to struggle tirelessly just to raise students who are proud of achieving achievements and praying for them to always be successful in their careers.
The role, duties, and responsibilities given by the state to teachers are too heavy, almost not comparable to the compensation they receive. This condition often makes us feel sorry for the lives of some teachers.
They are forced to work even harder to increase their income outside their profession. Either by various means such as opening private tutoring at home, accepting motorcycle taxi services, or various other forms of work such as fish traders, flower sellers.
All of this is forced to be done without having to complain to anyone in order to meet the needs of the family. The principle is that it is halal, as long as there is still a way, there is no need to be embarrassed to be known by friends or other people who may have known him. Relying on a salary feels like it is no longer enough to support a family, because every month only receives a bill to cut debts at the bank, not including debts from a number of other donor institutions.
The phenomenon of teachers looking for side jobs seems to be a dark portrait of our education world. The chain effect that will be felt is that teacher performance in schools will get worse and have a negative impact on the learning process which results in a decrease in student quality and is not competitive. Because, their time and energy will be sucked or drained to pursue income to earn a living outside their profession. However, the existence of professional teachers is indeed worthy of appreciation to maintain the dignity of national education, especially in this country of a thousand islands.
So, we are waiting for the government's strategic policy to improve teacher welfare in accordance with President Prabowo's political promise. We hope that the issue of increasing the teacher professional allowance of IDR 2 million will really be realized at the end of 2024.
Our reflection on the momentum of National Teachers' Day on November 25, 2024, as parents of students, of course we really want teachers to remain steadfast in facing challenges and trials no matter how difficult, and must be able to maintain the dignity of this nation's education. Return teachers to the true struggle, so that they will always be remembered as Unsung Heroes. They may not need a medal, because what they need is a decent, fair, and prosperous reward.
A teacher is a professional position, teaching work can be carried out by anyone and at any time without being limited by space and time. However, regarding the function as a professional educator, it is only possessed by certain teachers and/or prospective teachers through academic education levels according to the mandate of the Teachers and Lecturers Law No. 14 of 2005.
This professional work is what we then interpret as a teacher as an educator, teacher, role model, role model or someone who is always respected and imitated. If we use Ki Hajar Dewantara's educational philosophy, then teachers are known as Ing Ngarsa Sung Tulada, in front giving an example, Ing Madya Mangun Karsa, in the middle building motivation, and Tut Wuri Handayani, in the back being the driving force. The interesting thing to note from the substance of this thought is how the process of empowering human reason, to be free and independent so that it is able to conquer nature and change the community environment.
Teachers take on the role of continuing Ki Hajar Dewantara's struggle. The link to the nickname of Unsung Heroes is then harmonized through the lyrics of the song "Teacher's Hymn". Praise be to you, teachers, your names will always live in my heart, all your devotion will be engraved in my heart, As an inscription, my gratitude for your devotion, you are a lamp in the darkness, you are like dew that cools in thirst, you are a patriot, a hero of the nation, a builder of intellectuals.
The message of this song shows how important the role of teachers is in developing children's intelligence. Therefore, the teacher's task is not only limited to transforming knowledge and skills, but must also pay attention to and understand children's learning difficulties.
The right to freedom and independence to learn is fully given so that the knowledge and experience gained can be accounted for. Good teachers do not forbid children from making mistakes, but instead learn from their mistakes, and make them more confident, to prove the truth through the experimental process.
As we also interpret the term teacher in Sanskrit, because it consists of two syllables, namely; GU and RU. Where GU means darkness, while RU means light. So, to penetrate the darkness, the light of the teacher is needed, and the energy of the light itself comes from the lamp of the noble, sincere and holy heart of the teacher. Happy National Teachers' Day. (*)
*The author is a lecturer at the Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training (FTIK) IAIN Ternate
This humanitarian tragedy, in addition to causing quite large material losses, also lost thousands of human lives. In the midst of the country's declining situation in facing the threat of death due to defeat in the war. The impact of this threat was also felt throughout the country, because the condition of Japan after the atomic bomb was truly in a very concerning darkness.
However, Emperor Hirohito as the highest leader of Japan at that time, took the initiative to gather the remaining generals. Then asked them, how many teachers are still alive? not the other way around asking how many soldiers died.
Unexpectedly, this question was very surprising, but the generals firmly said that they were still able to provide security and protect the safety of the Emperor without the help of teachers.
In response to the answers of the council of generals, the Emperor intelligently gave his inspiring review that our nation had fallen due to not learning from experience. Japan is indeed strong in terms of weaponry and war strategy.
But in fact, our troops suffered defeat in conquering the enemy. It seems that we never learned how to make an atomic bomb with such a powerful force that it destroyed the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. How can we possibly rise to catch up, if we do not want to learn, said Emperor Hirohito.
The Emperor's critical response was able to break the argument of the council of generals. Finally, the Emperor immediately took quick steps to gather teachers who were in various corners of the city, and there were still around 45 thousand teachers left.
Their existence actually became the mainstay and hope of the Japanese people, continued His Majesty, no longer depending on the strength of the combat troops or the Heho army. The momentum of this statement was born from the common sense thinking process of a supreme leader, as well as marking a new historical milestone for the rise of Japan to accelerate development into a developed country achieved within 20 years.
The Emperor's statement was not just to commemorate the turning point of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki incidents. But to prove that in the most difficult conditions of the nation, teachers should not be forgotten. Teachers make us familiar with science through numbers, letters, and or reading natural signs. They guide us from a state of ignorance to knowledge, even continuing to struggle tirelessly just to raise students who are proud of achieving achievements and praying for them to always be successful in their careers.
The role, duties, and responsibilities given by the state to teachers are too heavy, almost not comparable to the compensation they receive. This condition often makes us feel sorry for the lives of some teachers.
They are forced to work even harder to increase their income outside their profession. Either by various means such as opening private tutoring at home, accepting motorcycle taxi services, or various other forms of work such as fish traders, flower sellers.
All of this is forced to be done without having to complain to anyone in order to meet the needs of the family. The principle is that it is halal, as long as there is still a way, there is no need to be embarrassed to be known by friends or other people who may have known him. Relying on a salary feels like it is no longer enough to support a family, because every month only receives a bill to cut debts at the bank, not including debts from a number of other donor institutions.
The phenomenon of teachers looking for side jobs seems to be a dark portrait of our education world. The chain effect that will be felt is that teacher performance in schools will get worse and have a negative impact on the learning process which results in a decrease in student quality and is not competitive. Because, their time and energy will be sucked or drained to pursue income to earn a living outside their profession. However, the existence of professional teachers is indeed worthy of appreciation to maintain the dignity of national education, especially in this country of a thousand islands.
So, we are waiting for the government's strategic policy to improve teacher welfare in accordance with President Prabowo's political promise. We hope that the issue of increasing the teacher professional allowance of IDR 2 million will really be realized at the end of 2024.
Our reflection on the momentum of National Teachers' Day on November 25, 2024, as parents of students, of course we really want teachers to remain steadfast in facing challenges and trials no matter how difficult, and must be able to maintain the dignity of this nation's education. Return teachers to the true struggle, so that they will always be remembered as Unsung Heroes. They may not need a medal, because what they need is a decent, fair, and prosperous reward.
A teacher is a professional position, teaching work can be carried out by anyone and at any time without being limited by space and time. However, regarding the function as a professional educator, it is only possessed by certain teachers and/or prospective teachers through academic education levels according to the mandate of the Teachers and Lecturers Law No. 14 of 2005.
This professional work is what we then interpret as a teacher as an educator, teacher, role model, role model or someone who is always respected and imitated. If we use Ki Hajar Dewantara's educational philosophy, then teachers are known as Ing Ngarsa Sung Tulada, in front giving an example, Ing Madya Mangun Karsa, in the middle building motivation, and Tut Wuri Handayani, in the back being the driving force. The interesting thing to note from the substance of this thought is how the process of empowering human reason, to be free and independent so that it is able to conquer nature and change the community environment.
Teachers take on the role of continuing Ki Hajar Dewantara's struggle. The link to the nickname of Unsung Heroes is then harmonized through the lyrics of the song "Teacher's Hymn". Praise be to you, teachers, your names will always live in my heart, all your devotion will be engraved in my heart, As an inscription, my gratitude for your devotion, you are a lamp in the darkness, you are like dew that cools in thirst, you are a patriot, a hero of the nation, a builder of intellectuals.
The message of this song shows how important the role of teachers is in developing children's intelligence. Therefore, the teacher's task is not only limited to transforming knowledge and skills, but must also pay attention to and understand children's learning difficulties.
The right to freedom and independence to learn is fully given so that the knowledge and experience gained can be accounted for. Good teachers do not forbid children from making mistakes, but instead learn from their mistakes, and make them more confident, to prove the truth through the experimental process.
As we also interpret the term teacher in Sanskrit, because it consists of two syllables, namely; GU and RU. Where GU means darkness, while RU means light. So, to penetrate the darkness, the light of the teacher is needed, and the energy of the light itself comes from the lamp of the noble, sincere and holy heart of the teacher. Happy National Teachers' Day. (*)
*The author is a lecturer at the Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training (FTIK) IAIN Ternate
