42 female teachers opt for divorce following permanent civil service appointments

CIANJUR – A total of 42 female public servants under the Government Employee with Work Agreement (PPPK) scheme in Cianjur, West Java, have reportedly filed for divorce from their husbands after receiving their official appointment letters as civil servants.

This phenomenon has drawn public attention, particularly in the education sector, as most of the women involved are primary school teachers, according to a report by WartaKotalive.com.

Out of about 3,000 teachers who received their PPPK appointment decrees this year, 30 women have filed for divorce in court, while 12 more cases are in the final stages of legal proceedings.

Cianjur Office of Youth, Sports and Education (Disdikpora) Head, Ruhli, revealed that most of the divorce petitions came from the women.

“The majority of those filing for divorce are women,” he said recently.

Ruhli clarified that the appointments as permanent civil servants have given many women financial independence, as they had previously served on contract or relied solely on their husbands’ income.

“The main factor is economic. Once they have a fixed and more stable income through PPPK, they feel confident enough to make the decision to separate,” he said.

A similar trend was reported in Blitar Regency, East Java, where the Blitar Education Office recorded at least 20 female teachers filing for divorce in recent months, a sharp increase compared to 15 cases throughout 2024.

Blitar Primary School Management Division Head, Deny Setyawan confirmed the rise and linked it to the teachers’ new status as permanent PPPK civil servants.

“This surge is closely related to their change in employment status from contract teachers to permanent PPPK employees,” he said.

According to Deny, with better financial stability, they feel more confident about making major decisions in their married lives.

“Although the official reason is usually ‘irreconcilable differences’, the strengthening of their economic position is clearly the underlying factor,” he stated.

Deny also said his office has no authority to prevent any divorce actions taken by teachers under the PPPK scheme.

“It is a personal right within the institution of marriage. Our responsibility is only to ensure that all legal processes and civil service procedures are complied with,” he said.