Staying Safe and Creative amid Pandemic

Name: Staying Safe and Creative amid Pandemic
Uploaded: 2021-05-03T05:52:21Z
Duration: 20 min 32 s
Description: In the midst of all the limitations caused by the pandemic, students have also continued their studies to pursue their dreams and aspirations.

In the midst of all the limitations caused by the pandemic, students have also continued their studies to pursue their dreams and aspirations.

Macradin Wahyu Ritonga

· 6 minutes read

Reopening schools for face-to-face learning needs to be thoroughly prepared to ensure that no new COVID-19 clusters emerge. Both face-to-face and online learning is expected to unlock the potential of students.

The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced learning patterns. However, these conditions have not hindered students from reaching their potential and dreams.

This was demonstrated by Nabila Wur Wara (19), an eleventh-grader of SMKN 9 Bandung, West Java, Sunday (2/5/2021). Her three clothing designs were exhibited to dozens of West Java provincial officials, including West Java Deputy Governor Uu Ruzhanul Ulum.

Standing to the left of SMKN 9 principal Anne Sukmawati, Nabila could not hide her nervousness. She seemed to stand stiff for nearly half an hour in front of the screen during a fashion show themed “The Art of Shibori”.

Also read: Reopening Schools a Risk to Students

Behind her, three fashion models wearing flexible face shields walked the red carpet, wearing clothes designed by Nabila. A mixture of bright and warm colors, such as orange, yellow and green, combined with a typical Japanese coloring technique called Shibori.

Apart from SMKN 9, a number of other schools also demonstrated their work and skills in the series of events.

The show was witnessed by thousands of pairs of eyes through the West Java provincial administration’s video conferences and social media channels in celebration of National Education Day. Apart from SMKN 9, a number of other schools also demonstrated their work and skills in the series of events.

Appreciation was also shown by West Java Council (DPRD) Commission 5 deputy head Abdul Hadi Wijaya. He stated that these works were worthy of enlivening West Java’s 76th anniversary celebration in August 2021.

“This creativity that has emerged would be very honorable and worthy if it was also shown on West Java’s anniversary, usually celebrated every August. This is very cool, it is our pride, the work of West Java’s children. This ability can become a source of livelihood, a life skill that is also useful for students,” he said.

Also read: Questioning the Education and Research Regime

Cheers and relieved laughter were heard, not only from Nabila, but also from the 12 teachers and staff of SMKN 9 who worked behind the scenes. Their hard work had been rewarded with satisfying appreciation.

Nabila is more confident about becoming a fashion designer. Moreover, she wants to continue her mother’s boutique business in Sukasari district, Bandung.

“This interest came about when I entered [high school]. My mother wants me to continue her business. By learning this way, I hope that I will not only carry on her business but can also develop it,” she said with a smile.

Not a hindrance

In the midst of all the limitations caused by the pandemic, other students have also continued their studies to pursue their dreams and aspirations. “Ever since entering grade 11, I have not studied in class. Everything is done online. Every week I sent videos to show teachers my learning results,” she said.

Also read: There is no Tolerance for Reopening Schools

Anne Sukmawati explained that almost 70 percent of learning at SMKN 9 was practice-based and required meetings. This school has six expertise programs, namely travel business, hospitality, catering, hair and skin beauty, fashion and visual communication design.

However, when the pandemic hit, learning at school was inevitably limited to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In fact, since March 2020, the regular teaching method has been completely eliminated.

However, it is impossible for the school to be closed, because the students need practical consultations and the tools for that are here.

Both teachers and students have had to adapt to distance learning, requiring changes from the learning materials to assignments given to students. “All [is done through] distance learning. However, it is impossible for the school to be closed, because the students need practical consultations and the tools for that are here. However, we seriously limit the people who can enter,” she said.

Anne, however, does not see this as an obstacle but rather as an opportunity. When schools have become accustomed to using digital technology, it could serve as an opportunity to showcase the work of her students to the public.

SMKN 9 finally held a virtual exhibition. Anne explained that the school had held three exhibitions since the end of 2020, leading up to a fashion show on Ki Hadjar Dewantara’s birthday. “We are preparing another exhibition for mid-year. We consider the application of technology an opportunity. These shows optimize the students’ works. They become more confident in their abilities throughout their studies,” she said.

Well-prepared

More than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, SMKN 9 will try to hold limited face-to-face learning (PTM) with extreme caution. In the first month of the PTM, only 10 percent of the 1,400 students will learn face-to-face.

“For the PTM, we can only have 30 percent or around 500 students. Honestly, we wouldn’t be able to manage allowing half the students back. Thus, we’re still optimizing the online learning module and dividing the tasks for teachers,” she said.

Also read: Digitalization of Online Schooling

Adequate space has been provided. All classrooms, laboratories and practice rooms can only be used at half their normal capacity. On the doors of every classroom and practice room, posters have been put up detailing health protocols and places for people to wash their hands.

“We do not want schools to become new transmission clusters. Therefore, we will prepare everything, from the environment to the teaching modules,” she said.

This vigilance is reasonable, because the number of COVID-19 cases in Bandung is still high. Based on data from the COVID-19 Jakarta Information and Coordination Center, the number of people who tested positive for COVID-19 in Bandung had reached 17,989 people by 6 p.m. on Sunday, and 1,890 of them are still in isolation.

Out of the 36,000 teachers and educational staff, 32,000 have been vaccinated.

Bandung Mayor Oded M Danial stated that preparations were underway ahead of the PTM in July, including COVID-19 vaccinations for elementary to high school educators and students. Out of the 36,000 teachers and educational staff, 32,000 have been vaccinated.

“Hopefully, the children can learn face-to-face again in the future. However, we surely have to prepare all their surroundings and infrastructure,” said Oded.

(This article was translated by Kesya Adhalia)

Editor:

naranasrullah

kompascetak covid-19 pandemic face-to-face learning digital technology PTM SMKN 9 Bandung Ki Hadjar Dewantara’s birthday