Since 2015, PSPK has sought to strengthen child-centered education. To this end, PSPK has initiated a number of programs and activities, one of which is the Education Policy Study Circle (Lingkar Studi Kebijakan Pendidikan), aimed at strengthening the education policy research ecosystem. Lingkar Studi focuses on education policy research, the publication of research findings, and the development of capacity in education policy research. Capacity building serves as a forum for exchanging ideas, discussing education policy research findings, and enhancing competencies in the field of policy research. Capacity-building activities include trainings, workshops, and education dialogues attended by education policy researchers, members of the public interested in education studies, policymakers, and other relevant resource persons.

In the 7th edition of the Education Dialogue, Lingkar Studi specifically initiated a topic related to teachers, as Teachers’ Day in Indonesia is commemorated annually on 25 November. Teachers play a crucial role in the learning process, and according to various studies, teachers are the most influential school-related factor affecting student achievement and learning outcomes (Darling-Hammond, 2000, 2001; OECD, 2005; Rockoff, 2004). This underscores the importance of recruiting competent teachers and ensuring that teachers remain competent. Teachers with strong competencies are better able to facilitate meaningful learning that responds to children’s needs. Teachers must possess the competence to understand and implement the curriculum within the learning process.

Another important aspect that must be addressed is teacher welfare, which remains a topic of discussion in Indonesia, particularly with regard to honorary teachers and teachers in private educational institutions. Teachers who enjoy adequate welfare are expected to have greater freedom to teach and facilitate learning without having to seek additional employment to meet their living needs. The government has sought to play a role in ensuring teacher welfare—especially for honorary and private school teachers—through the PPPK (Government Employees with Work Agreements) mechanism. However, the impact of this process needs to be assessed to ensure that it truly guarantees teacher welfare, while at the same time enabling teachers to facilitate learning more effectively.

The Education Dialogue, held on 28 November 2023 as a special Teachers’ Day edition, specifically discussed the interrelationship between learning, assessment, and teacher competence. In addition, the discussion addressed the effectiveness of the PPPK teacher recruitment mechanism in ensuring teacher welfare. The discussion featured two speakers:

• Hanna Raisya (PSPK Policy Analyst)
  Research Title:
  “Designing Assessments that Matter: For Meaningful and Deeper Learning”
• Aziza Restu Febrianto (Lecturer, Universitas Nasional Karangturi, Semarang)
  Research Title:
  “Assessing the Effectiveness of the PPPK Teacher Recruitment Policy (Government Employees with Work Agreements)”