Teachers moonlight to make ends meet

Agus Maryono ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Purwokerto   |  Fri, 05/16/2008 12:51 PM  |  Lifestyle

Iriyanto tapped away on his keyboard and swayed his body to the dangdut music he was playing, while singer Ayu belted out "Menunggu" (Waiting) by his side.

The 43-year-old Iriyanto, better known as Yanto by his friends, is a teacher at SDN 2 state elementary school in Kemutug, Baturraden district in Banyumas regency, Central Java.

He is one of the 200 or so solo keyboardists in the regency; 20 of them are teachers, just like Iriyanto.

"Yes, I am a teacher and a civil servant but my salary is not enough for a decent life. If it's just for food, you can make it. But life is more than just about food," Iriyanto told The Jakarta Post.

He said he had to pay his bills, chip in for wedding parties or other gatherings and pay monthly contributions to neighborhood and community organizations. He said he also had to pay Rp 500,000 (US$55) monthly to pay back a bank loan.

"Almost all civil servants are in debt. Only (by taking a second job) can we own a motorcycle or electronic gadgets," he said.

Iriyanto has worked as a sports teacher in elementary schools for 18 years. His current monthly salary is Rp 1.5 million, while his monthly spending can reach up to Rp 3 million.

"My oldest child is in the third grade and my youngest one is in the second grade."

He said if he did not take on a second job, life would be a lot harder for him and his family.

"Fortunately, I happen to enjoy music, so I do my best to earn an extra income out of it (playing the keyboard)," Iriyanto said.

Meanwhile, Supriyanto, a 43-year-old teacher who works at a state-run school in Bancar Kembar, Purwokerto, also has a side job as a solo keyboardist.

"I started moonlighting as a keyboardist some time in 2000. The revenue is not bad to support my family," he told the Post.

He said he worked as a keyboardist at least four times a month, mostly for wedding parties. However, he said he could work almost every day during the busy month of August -- when the country celebrated independence day.

Supriyanto said he charged Rp 500,000 for a six-hour performance with two singers.

"The fee for each singer is Rp 100,000. If the performance lasts longer, for example until late at night, it doubles," Supriyanto said.

He said in a good month he could make Rp 2 million from his side job, but in August his earnings could increase to up to Rp 4 million.

"Honestly speaking, by playing keyboard I was able to renovate my house, buy a motorcycle and even purchase a new keyboard," he said.

"If we (players) don't update our keyboards, we will be left behind because the new models have better features."

Due to their teaching schedules, Supriyanto and Iriyanto only take keyboarding jobs in the afternoons, evenings and on holidays.

"People rarely hold parties in the mornings, except during the holidays, so my performance schedule doesn't clash with my school job," Supriyanto said.

Both Iriyanto and Supriyanto, however, said there were times when they felt sleepy at school after performing the night before.

"I am a sports teacher ... if I am sleepy, I don't take the students to the field but give them a theory lesson," said Iriyanto. "But such a case rarely happens."

Supriyanto, who teaches religion, also said he felt sleepy at times, but added it did not happen often.

"I try to manage my time. If there is a night job coming, I take a long nap beforehand, so it's not a big deal."

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