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The political economy of teacher management reform in Indonesia

Author

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  • Rosser, Andrew
  • Fahmi, Mohamad

Abstract

Indonesia faces serious problems in the number, cost, quality and distribution of teachers. In recent years, its central government has introduced a range of reforms to address these problems but they have produced modest results. This paper suggests that this outcome reflects the way in which predatory political and bureaucratic elites have used the school system for decades to accumulate resources, distribute patronage, mobilize political support, and exercise political control rather than promote improved learning outcomes. Efforts to reduce teacher numbers, enhance teacher quality, and improve teacher distribution have accordingly constituted an assault on the interests of these elites, provoking powerful, if often subterranean, resistance. Broadly, reform has only occurred where the central government has employed policy instruments that have disciplined local governments and maintained a commitment to these instruments in the face of resistance. The paper concludes by assessing the implications for Indonesian education.

Suggested Citation

  • Rosser, Andrew & Fahmi, Mohamad, 2018. "The political economy of teacher management reform in Indonesia," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 72-81.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:injoed:v:61:y:2018:i:c:p:72-81
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2017.12.005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:wbk:wbpubs:13545 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. World Bank, 2010. "Transforming Indonesia's Teaching Force : From Pre-service Training to Retirement - Producing and Maintaining a High-quality, Efficient, and Motivated Workforce," World Bank Publications - Reports 2853, The World Bank Group.
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    4. World Bank, 2013. "Indonesia - Spending More or Spending Better : Improving Education Financing in Indonesia," World Bank Publications - Reports 13210, The World Bank Group.
    5. World Bank, 2013. "Spending More or Spending Better : Improving Education Financing in Indonesia, Extended Executive Summary," World Bank Publications - Reports 13207, The World Bank Group.
    6. Andrew Rosser & Mohamad Fahmi, 2016. "The Political Economy of Teacher Management in Decentralized Indonesia," Working Papers in Economics and Development Studies (WoPEDS) 201602, Department of Economics, Padjadjaran University, revised Dec 2016.
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    9. Mark Heyward & Aos Santosa Hadiwijaya & Mahargianto & Edy Priyono, 2017. "Reforming teacher deployment in Indonesia," Journal of Development Effectiveness, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 9(2), pages 245-262, April.
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    11. Rosser,Andrew & Fahmi,Mohamad, 2016. "The political economy of teacher management in decentralized Indonesia," Policy Research Working Paper Series 7913, The World Bank.
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    13. Prawiro, Radius, 1998. "Indonesia's Struggle for Economic Development: Pragmatism in Action," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9789835600531.
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    Cited by:

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