In Jakarta, only 20-30 percent of students are participating in the limited face-to-face learning trial.
By
KOMPAS EDITOR
·3 minutes read
Trials for face-to-face learning are being conducted to ensure safety during the pandemic.
Local administrations have issued a limited number of face-to-face learning permits for schools that meet the requirements stipulated in a joint ministerial decree (SKB) signed by the Education and Culture Minister, the Religious Affairs Minister, the Home Minister and Health Minister. However, it is still the prerogative of parents to determine whether their child will participate in this restricted face-to-face learning. In Jakarta, only 20-30 percent of students are participating in the limited face-to-face learning trial.
The Jakarta administration should be applauded for its efforts to conduct face-to-face learning trials from 7-29 April 2021 across 85 schools, under health protocols. The provincial administration also ensures that all teacher and education staff at the schools have been vaccinated and that 50 school buses are available to drop off students at the bus stop closest to their homes. However, the greatest challenge is in the implementation of health protocols, not only within the school environment, but outside as well. Every day, students, teachers and education staff spend more time outside school than within.
The greatest challenge is in the implementation of health protocols, not only within the school environment, but outside as well..
The 5M health protocols (washing hands with soap, using masks, maintaining distance, avoiding crowds and limiting mobility and interaction) must also be enforced outside of schools to prevent the spread of COVID-19, especially when the pandemic is not yet under control.
With the COVID-19 infection rate still at around 12 percent, which is far below the World Health Organization’s (WHO) standard of at least 5 percent, the risk of transmitting COVID-19 within the community is still high. Several studies based on the reopening of schools in other countries have shown that, even with strict health protocols, reopening schools in the midst of an uncontrolled pandemic still risks creating school clusters. In Indonesia, a number of boarding school clusters have emerged.
Moreover, even though teachers and education staff have been vaccinated, it does not guarantee they will not be infected by COVID-19 or won’t be able to transmit the virus. Students are also at risk of contracting and transmitting COVID-19 to adults, with the risk of transmission even higher. Temperature screenings also do not guarantee safety from COVID-19 because people can contract the virus without showing symptoms, especially children. Meanwhile, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests cannot be routinely done due to cost.
Parents’ doubts must be answered with stricter efforts to contain this pandemic. Consistent testing, tracing and treatment is just as important as adopting the 5M protocols. The decline in COVID-19 cases should not be used as an indicator when the testing, tracing and treatment is still weak. This is a shared responsibility between the government and the people, to ensure the safety of students when participating in face-to-face learning.