Title: Increasing teacher attendance in Indonesia: a longitudinal study in the remote elementary schools of Southern Papua

Authors: Basilius Redan Werang; Anak Agung Gede Agung; Andreas Au Hurit

Addresses: Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan, Universitas Musamus, Jl. Kamizaun, Mopah Lama, Merauke 99611, Indonesia ' Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha, Jl. Udayana No. 11, Singaraja, Bali 81116, Indonesia ' Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan, Universitas Musamus, Jl. Kamizaun, Mopah Lama, Merauke 99611, Indonesia

Abstract: Teachers play a very important role in educating the future generation through their work of teaching. No matter how engaging or talented teachers may be, they can only have an impact on student learning if they are in the classroom. This study explored potential strategies to increase teacher attendance in Southern Papua. In doing so, the study employed both quantitative (a survey questionnaire) and qualitative (interviews) research approaches. Data were collected from a total of 81 teacher-related stakeholders. Results of the study revealed three main categories of strategies to improve teacher attendance in the remote elementary schools of Southern Papua, namely: (a) strategies related to teachers behaviours; (b) strategies related to teachers' working conditions; and (c) strategies related to educational policymakers. Findings of this study demonstrate that, if the school supervisors and regional education administrators wish to improve teacher attendance and, in turn, improve students' capability in reading, writing, and arithmetic (3Rs), then they have to think seriously of how to create a more enjoyable environment and policy for teachers to stay. Findings of this study may be imperative for the institutions of teacher training and education to make sure that all the teacher candidates are morally committed and mentally well-educated and trained.

Keywords: teacher; attendance; elementary schools; remote area; southern Papua; Indonesia; increasing; strategies.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMIE.2019.098188

International Journal of Management in Education, 2019 Vol.13 No.2, pp.133 - 155

Received: 07 Dec 2017
Accepted: 21 May 2018
Published online: 05 Mar 2019 *

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