Schools Find Ways to Address Learning Issues

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

The new students joined the school environment introduction (MPLS) activity at SMK Negeri 2 Salatiga, Salatiga City, Central Java, Monday (07/13/2020). Health protocols and distance restrictions are implemented during activities in schools to prevent Covid-19 transmission.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Many schools are finding it difficult to implement online learning during the Covid-19 epidemic. In light of the lack of internet accessibility and devices, schools and teachers are finding ways to address the issues and continue to provide learning activities for students.

The 2020-2021 school year began on Monday (13/7/2020). Amid the epidemic, a majority of schools are relying on online learning instead of in-person classes to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The reality, however, is that many schools are incapable of properly implementing online learning. As Kompas reported on Monday, more than 47,000 schools were unable to implement online learning because they lacked electricity and internet access.

I am relying on TVRI’s ‘Belajar dari Rumah’ [Learning from Home] educational content for the 2020-2021 school year.

Tri Heni Endang Rochana Pamiluwati, a teacher at SDN 25 Pekanbaru state elementary school in Riau, said on Monday that she incorporated online and offline methods and a mix of the two in her lesson plans for the new school year, amid the persistent issues of internet inaccessibility. Her lesson modules included student monitoring sheets and using the educational materials broadcast on state-run TV station TVRI and basic knowledge competencies.

“I am relying on TVRI’s ‘Belajar dari Rumah’ [Learning from Home] educational content for the 2020-2021 school year. Using their experiences with online learning in the past three months, my students loved the ‘Belajar dari Rumah’ content. I create a list of guiding questions to help them better understand the numeracy and literacy skills the content promotes,” Tri explained.

Also read : When Classrooms Move to Homes

DOKUMENTASI KEMENTERIAN PENDIDIKAN DAN KEBUDAYAAN

Information on the Learning from Home program schedule as a result of collaboration between TVRI and the Ministry of Education and Culture.

The school where Tri teaches has allocated a percentage of its operational budget to help children buy mobile data packages worth Rp 250,000 (US$17.37) every four months.

Computer lab

SMPN 2 Purwokerto state junior high school in Banyumas regency, Central Java, is providing four computer labs, each with a capacity for accommodating 40 students, for students unable to follow online learning because they did not have a mobile device.

“Our lab is open to all students who need it. Just come to the school. They do not number many,” school principal Bayu Heryanto said in Purwokerto.

Also read : The New School Year in the Pandemic Era

Meanwhile, principal Yemima Kopeauw of SMPN 1 Wamena state junior high school in Jayawijaya regency, Papua, said that the school had implemented three offline learning methods due to the poor internet access in Papua’s Pegunungan Tengah district. The three methods are regular radio programs, distributing materials for learning at home and providing direct consultation for students facing difficulties in understanding lessons.

KOMPAS/IWAN SETIYAWAN

Naira (left) and Raina, first graders at SD Dharma Karya elementary school in South Tangerang, reda Islamic Religious Education materials while taking a year-end assessment exam online at their home in Cinangka, Sawangan, Depok, West Java, on Tuesday (2/6/2020). Online exams are being held because schools remain closed due to social restrictions to prevent COVID-19 transmission.

The consultation sessions are held at the school from Monday to Saturday. Classes are limited to 18 students. “Strict health protocols are implemented,” Yemima said.

Herlina Gaitedy, who teaches at SMP Satu Atap Tasinwaha junior high school of Kola Island in Aru Islands regency, Maluku, said that she and other teachers went from village to villages to teach. They went by foot and by boat. Online learning was impossible due to inadequate internet access. Parents could not afford to buy cell phones for their children.

Also read : Confusion Persists in School Enrollment

Amid the limited internet access, semi-online learning (a mix of online and offline learning methods) was an alternative method. In this method, teachers use cell phones to communicate with their students, both to give assignments and provide consultations. Students come to school only to pick up and hand in their assignments.

“As not all students have cell phones, the students distribute the information that I distribute on WhatsApp between them. They pick up their assignments on Monday and hand them in on Saturday,” Nurohim, a teacher at SDN Kaliwlingi 02 state elementary school in Brebes regency, Central Java, said on Monday during a webinar held by the Education and Culture Ministry. (MED/DKA/FLOW/FRN/IKA).