316,000 Teachers Will Retire Between 2019 and 2023

Data from the Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemdikbud) shows a continuous increase in the number of teachers retiring between 2019 and 2023. In 2019 and 2020, the projected numbers were 39,100 and 46,900 respectively. The following year, the number rose to 64,800, followed by 77,500 in 2022, and 88,300 in 2023. This totals 316,500 teachers retiring over this period.

This teacher attrition significantly impacts the availability of teachers in Indonesia, especially considering the already limited number of teachers. According to data from the Indonesian Teachers Association (PGRI), as of August 1, 2019, there was a shortage of 1.1 million teachers. Meanwhile, data from the Directorate General of Teachers and Education Personnel of Kemdikbud showed a shortage of 870,000 teachers as of December 31, 2018.

Former Minister of Education and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy, also previously requested that retired teachers continue to serve as a solution to the teacher shortage. Quoting Antara, PGRI Secretary General Ali Rahim stated that the teacher shortage could be met within 20 years if 130,000 new civil servant (CPNS) teacher positions are filled annually. For information, this year the government has opened 63,300 teacher positions, the highest number compared to other positions.