The decision to allow schools in Covid-19 yellow zones to reopen and hold in-person classes will potentially increase the risk of Covid-19 spread among children.
By
KOMPAS TEAM
·4 minutes read
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The decision to allow schools in Covid-19 yellow zones to reopen and hold in-person classes will potentially increase the risk of Covid-19 spread among children. Data shows that Covid-19 infection and fatality rates among children in Indonesia are higher than in other countries due to poor health conditions.
After reopening schools in Covid-19 green zones, the government on Friday (7/8/2020) allowed schools to hold in-person classes in Covid-19 yellow zones. The national Covid-19 mitigation task force’s latest risk map designates 94 regencies and cities nationwide as green zones and 182 other regencies and cities as yellow zones. This means 53.67 percent of schools nationwide will hold in-person classes.
The announcement was accompanied by the release of a revision of the joint ministerial decree (SKB) on learning guidelines during Covid-19 pandemic, first issued by the Education and Culture Ministry, the Health Ministry, the Home Ministry and the Religious Affairs Ministry on 13 July 2020.
“Allowed, not required. If the regional head and the education agency or religious affairs office at a Covid-19 yellow zone give the permit [to reopen schools] but school principals or committees and parents are not ready, in-person classes will not be held and online learning will continue. The government must prioritize these people’s prerogative rights,” Education and Culture Minister Nadiem Makarim told a press conference in Jakarta on Friday.
He further explained that the decision was made with considerations of online learning’s long-term adverse effects, including risks of school dropouts, decreased learning achievements, increased violence and other psychological effects.
On the other hand, parents generally find it difficult to understand their children’s learning materials and to motivate their children. Many children find it hard to concentrate while studying at home.
Thus far, the government has received various complaints regarding online learning. Teachers said they faced difficulties in organizing online learning, they tended to focus on merely finishing the learning curriculum and learning hours had also decreased. On the other hand, parents generally find it difficult to understand their children’s learning materials and to motivate their children. Many children find it hard to concentrate while studying at home.
The reopening of in-person classes at schools in Covid-19 green and yellow zones will prioritize primary and secondary education. Early childhood education centers can resume two months after primary and secondary education does at the soonest.
For madrasahs (Islamic boarding schools) and boarding schools in Covid-19 green and yellow zones, in-person classes will resume in stages. Dormitories can only be filled at half capacity in the first month of transition. It can be filled to capacity at the second month.
In holding in-person classes during the pandemic, schools in yellow zones are required to fill out inspection forms on health protocol readiness and limitations on the number of students in classrooms. “Students in Covid-19 orange and red zones are still required to take online learning,” Nadiem said.
Home Ministry acting secretary-general Muhammad Hudori said regional heads, education agencies, schools and parents were given the flexibility to hold in-person classes at schools. “In line with Law No. 23/2004 on regional administrations, regional heads are prohibited from issuing policies that lead to unrest,” he said.
Right to health
Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) commissioner Retno Listyarti said that she regretted the government’s decision to revise the SKB by allowing in-person classes in Covid-19 yellow zones as this would put children at risk. Children’s right to health must be the priority during a pandemic.
“Prepare emergency plans, [such as] on how to monitor the increase of cases,” Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI) Covid-19 task force chief Yogi Prawira said. Children in Indonesia are more prone to Covid-19 and their fatality rate is higher than those in other countries.
“Assessing Covid-19 infection risk in Indonesia using a zoning system is ineffective. Despite a region’s designation as a green zone, this does not mean the region is safe as testing remains minimal. We must not sacrifice our children,” IDAI chair Aman Bhakti Pulungan said. It is difficult for children to wear a mask for a long time. On the other hand, healthcare facilities have limited capacity.
West Java Education Agency head Dedi Supandi said 228 districts in the province had been designated as green zones. However, the reopening of schools was based not only on green zone status but also other verification indicators, including internet availability. (MED/AIK/TAN/TAM)