Reforming teacher deployment in Indonesia

Abstract

This paper reports on a mixed-method, multiple-site study of teacher deployment in Indonesian primary schools. Results from a sample of 23 districts were analysed at district and national level. Substantial disparities in teacher distribution were found in all districts, between schools, between sub-districts and between specialist subjects. Two main issues emerged: uneven teacher distribution and small schools. The study found that a policy research approach which addresses political and cultural, as well as technical, dimensions at sub-national level can succeed in improving teacher deployment where previous efforts have failed.