Being a teacher today is often seen as a respected and stable job. But for many in rural areas, the reality is far from glamorous with low pay, limited support, and daily struggles just to make ends meet.
Teacher gets paid RM83 every 3 months
While many dream of securing a stable job with a steady income, one teacher in Indonesia has spent the past three decades teaching in a remote area all while earning just RM83 every three months.
55-year-old Saryono has been teaching at a school in Sukabumi, West Java since 1992. Despite the low pay, he remains committed to giving children in rural areas access to education.
What’s even more heartbreaking is that his salary comes from government aid (School Operational Assistance) and isn’t always guaranteed. Yet, he never complains and continues showing up for his students.
When passion outweighs pay
According to Sinar Harian, with only RM83 (350,000 rupiah) to survive on every few months, Saryono supports not just himself but his wife and two sisters-in-law who are unwell.
To make ends meet, he grows rice and cassava on a small plot of land. His wife also helps out by running a tiny business in their village to earn some extra cash.
Even so, it’s barely enough. Most days, they scrape by with whatever food they can harvest or afford, proving just how tough life can be for educators in rural communities.
A bumpy road to school
Every day, Saryono rides 7km to school on an old motorcycle he bought second-hand three years ago. It’s a 30-minute journey, and the road gets worse during the rainy season.
Yet, he’s never once used the harsh conditions as an excuse to miss school. For him, teaching is more than just a job it’s a responsibility.
Despite aging and the physical strain, he still puts his students first, making sure they don’t miss out on their lessons just because of where they live.
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