Identification of Teacher Shortage: A District Level Analysis

摘要

This research aims at describing the adequacy of the number of civil servant elementary teachers; the suitability of teacher education background with the field being taught; and the efforts of each school to address teacher shortages. The data was obtained from 23 primary schools in District of Ngablak, Magelang, Indonesia. Focus group discussion and document analysis involved the school principals and the head of the sub-district education office. The result shows that there is still a shortage of teachers with the adequacy of teachers as follows: 5 civil servants classroom teachers, 9 civil servants Islamic education teachers and also 16 civil servants sports teachers. Based on the data, 133 teachers (89.8%) have met education qualification that indicated by holding degree of Bachelor in Primary Education. While 15 teachers (10.1%) have not matched the field of Primary Education. The findings shows that in some schools, there are non-tenure teacher recruitment to overcome teacher shortage. Furthermore, it is found in few schools, the principals are assigned to have additional tasks, to be a classroom teacher and sports teacher. In order to improve teacher quality, some schools encourage and support teacher to attend university to study in relevant area. Finally, the implication of this research suggests that the district should merge or regroup some schools in neigbouring area for efficiency. However, schools in the most remote place of the District could not be merged since it will inflict problems for students. For most practice solution may come from transferring teacher from other schools around the District of Ngablak to teach in school with teacher shortage. As most parts of the district is remote area, it is suggested to provide teacher with sufficient supports.