Yogyakarta. A smile spread across Poniyati’s lips. Her 30 years of hard work as an honorary teacher had paid off. Poniyati had been appointed as a Government Employee with a Work Agreement (PPPK) in Bantul.
Poniyati, a woman from Pendowoharjo, Sewon, Bantul, has been serving as a Christian religious education teacher. Her struggles haven’t been easy, and she even went without a teaching salary for several years.
“Initially, I didn’t receive an honorarium for several years, but then there was a meeting and finally I received an honorarium of USD 5, that was in the 2000s, if I’m not mistaken. From USD 5, it went up to USD 6, then USD 9, and finally USD 30,” he told reporters in Bantul on Thursday (September 25, 2025).
During her career as an honorary teacher, Poniyati applied for civil service positions three times but was unsuccessful. Finally, there was a PPPK (Community Service Candidate) registration, but there were no positions for Christian religious teachers.
“Then there was the PPPK opening, but there were no positions, and I couldn’t register. It was just a matter of luck. Then I wanted to apply again, but my diploma couldn’t be verified and validated, and then I couldn’t register again,” he said.
During her career as an honorary teacher, Poniyati applied for civil service positions three times but was unsuccessful. Finally, there was a PPPK (Community Service Candidate) registration, but there were no positions for Christian religious teachers.
“Then there was the PPPK opening, but there were no positions, and I couldn’t register. It was just a matter of luck. Then I wanted to apply again, but my diploma couldn’t be verified and validated, and then I couldn’t register again,” he said.
The Beginning of Poniyati’s Service
The 55-year-old woman explained that she initially studied at the Marturia Christian College (STAK) in Yogyakarta. After graduating, Poniyati served as a Christian religious education teacher at SDN 2 Padokan in Kasihan, Bantul.
“I studied education, secondly I thought, why don’t I use my diploma? Moreover, I’m sorry, how come many Christian children in state elementary schools don’t get Christian religious lessons,” he said.
Reflecting on this, Poniyati developed the idea of serving fellow Christians by teaching Christian religious studies in schools. Poniyati enrolled at SDN 2 Padokan and was accepted in 1994.
After teaching at SDN 2 Padokan, it became clear that many public elementary schools needed Christian religion teachers. So Poniyati began teaching on a rotating basis.
“But over time, I started teaching from one school to another, from Cepit Elementary School, Sembungan to Monggang. At that time, I only rode my bicycle to teach, until I was called a flying teacher because I could go from one school to another, visiting four to five schools a day,” he said.
Considering her age, Poniyati has only enjoyed PPPK status for five years. However, she doesn’t mind this.
“It’s OK, it’s not my problem,” he said.
Although he admitted that he had received an offer to continue teaching as a Christian religion teacher after he retired, given that teachers retire at age 60.
“I would like to take a break , but if the children take a break , who will teach (Christian religious subjects),” he said.
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