South Tangerang City Government Admits Public School Teacher Crisis, Many Retirees and Admin Staff Teaching
Tangsellife.com - The Tangerang Selatan (Tangsel) City Government acknowledges it is facing a shortage of educators in public schools. Many teachers reaching retirement age have forced some schools to seek emergency solutions to ensure teaching and learning activities continue.
The Head of the Tangsel City Education and Culture Office (Dikbud), Deden Deni, stated that the teacher shortage has compelled some administrative staff and Guidance and Counseling (BK) teachers to double as classroom instructors.
Many Teachers Retiring, Schools Facing Educator Shortage
According to Deden, the current number of available teachers is insufficient to meet the needs of public schools in Tangsel. This situation is exacerbated by the retirement and passing of many teachers.
"We are facing a shortage of educators in public schools. Quite a few administrative staff and Guidance and Counseling teachers are doubling up on teaching duties in the classroom," said Deden on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
He explained that the local government is also constrained by national regulations that prohibit the recruitment of non-ASN (Civil Servant) personnel, in accordance with Law Number 20 of 2023 concerning State Civil Apparatus (ASN).
"We are not allowed to recruit teachers outside the ASN pathway, so we have to maximize existing resources," he said.
Administrative Staff Forced to Teach to Ensure Learning Process Continues
Due to the teacher shortage, several school administrative staff, who are supposed to handle school management, now have to teach in classrooms.
Although they do not have a teaching background, they are still asked to assist so that all subjects can be delivered to students until new policies are issued by the central government.
Deden emphasized that this situation is an emergency measure to prevent the education process from halting.
"We are walking a tightrope. But the children cannot wait," he said.
Tangsel City Government Awaiting Teacher Recruitment Regulations from Central Government
The Deputy Mayor of Tangsel, Pilar Saga Ichsan, confirmed that the need for educators in public schools remains very high. In addition to teachers, the local government also lacks school supervisors.
According to Pilar, the number of elementary school supervisors in Tangsel City is currently very minimal compared to the large number of schools that need to be overseen.
"For example, there is only one elementary school supervisor for all of Tangsel, yet there are hundreds of elementary schools. We are still waiting for regulations so that recruitment can be reopened in accordance with certifications and provisions," said Pilar.
He added that the Tangsel City Government continues to coordinate with the central government to obtain regulatory flexibility regarding the fulfillment of educator needs in the region.
"We will discuss with the central government to get regulatory flexibility. Because the recruitment of local government employees is managed by the center," he concluded.
