President: Teachers should be listened to and serve as model

Surabaya (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said teachers will be playing an important role in the future, as he or she should serve as model to their students.

"If the teachers` advice and guidance are accepted and practiced in the daily life of their students, it means they are good teachers," the head of state during a get together with teachers engaged in `For you, my teachers` program organized by the Jawa Post group here on Friday evening.

The president also asked the teachers not only to teach their students but also develop their character and mentality .

"Teachers should be listened to, their advice heeded and their character should also serve as a model of their students," Yudhoyono said.

Accompanied by his wife, Madame Ani Yudhoyono, the president said this condition would be better if the teachers made innovations in teaching and record such achievement.

Also present on the occasion were State Secretary/Minister Hatta Radjasa, National Education Minister Bambang Sudibyo, People`s Welfare Coordinating Minister Aburizal Bakrie and Jawa post group chairman Dahlan Iskan.