Strict Evaluation for Reopening Schools

The evaluation of the implementation of limited in-class learning trials determines whether the policy will be continued or not. Schools must comply with the evaluation results.

KOMPAS/SEKAR GANDHAWANGI

Learning activities in the Cideng 07 State Elementary School (SDN) classroom, Central Jakarta, Wednesday (7/4/2021). Starting that day until April 29, 2021, as many as 85 schools of various levels in DKI Jakarta conducted face-to-face learning trials (PTM). Schools that are deemed fit to implement PTM must have health facilities, sanitation and hygiene facilities, mapping students and teachers from the potential for Covid-19.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Rigorous evaluation of limited in-class learning trials is important. The education offices in the regions must take a firm stand against schools that have not yet fully complied with all implementing conditions for the health protocols to prevent the transmission of Covid-19.

In Jakarta, the implementation of a limited in-class learning (PTM) trial was carried out by 85 education units from elementary to high school level. Previously, 100 schools were nominated and participated in the training. However, 14 educational units did not qualify and one withdrew.

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Taga Radja from the Public Relations Section of the Jakarta Education Office when contacted on Monday (3/5/2021) in Jakarta said the 85 schools held limited PTM after all teachers and education personnel were vaccinated. All schools are required to fulfill a checklist. Health protocol facilities must be available, starting from the gate to the whole school. The schools also work together with the community health centers (Puskesmas), subdistrict and local law enforcement officials.

"Every education unit uses school funds or school operational assistance (BOS). If there is a change in the work plan, schools must coordinate with us so as to maintain budget transparency," said Taga.

KOMPAS/NINO CITRA ANUGRAHANTO

A number of students from the State Vocational High School (SMKN) 1 Depok, Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta Special Region, took part in the face-to-face learning trial which began on Monday (19/4/2021). The trial was only carried out at nine high school and vocational high school levels in the area and was evaluated for two weeks. The success of the evaluation is a consideration for holding similar trials in other schools.

During the trials, teachers from other schools who are not holding the trials are allowed to come to see. They can study and evaluate the readiness of the health protocols at their schools. During the PTM trials, no Covid-19 transmission was detected in the 85 schools.

Headmaster of SMP 52 state junior high school in East Jakarta, Heru Purnomo, revealed that his school was not participating in the PTM trial because it did not yet meet all the health protocol requirements, namely the insufficient number of handwashing facilities. His party is in the process of completing it.

Conceded

In Jambi, limited PTM began in mid-February 2021. Students who took the limited PTM were required to have an antigen swab test at the start. If the results were negative, they could join the PTM. Unfortunately, even though it had been carefully prepared and gone through simulations, the Covid-19 cluster is still popping up.

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Initially, Covid-19 hit 56 students and teachers at SMA Titian Teras state senior school in Muaro Jambi regency at the end of March. As a result, PTM, which had only been running for two weeks, was immediately terminated. The school is still implementing online learning.

A few days later, 30 students at the Batanghari Regency Agricultural Vocational School were also infected. Most recently, this week, 51 students at Madrasah Aliyah Negeri Cendekia in Muaro Jambi regency were confirmed positive for Covid-19.

KOMPAS/IRMA TAMBUNAN

The first day of face-to-face learning at SD Xaverius 1 Jambi, Jambi City took place Monday (01/03/2021). Schools are required to carry out health protocols starting from maintaining distance to completing supporting facilities to prevent the Covid-19 cluster in schools.

Jambi Province Covid-19 Mitigation Task Force spokesperson Johansyah said his party had issued a recommendation to the Jambi Provincial Education Office to temporarily stop PTM for senior high schools. The task force has also called on all regency and city governments in Jambi to implement online learning for elementary schools and junior high schools.

In Padang, West Sumatra, boarding schools that were once clusters of Covid-19 transmission have tightened parental visits and implemented health protocols in their surroundings. In March, 61 students of SMA 1 Sumbar senior high school in Padang Panjang tested positive for Covid-19.

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Previously, in November 2020, as many as 135 female students of the Diniyyah Putri Islamic Boarding School in Padang Panjang also tested positive for Covid-19. The emergence of the clusters at the Islamic boarding schools was allegedly triggered by visits from parents.

A number of schools in Yogyakarta have also initiated limited PTM trials. Even so, there are still parents who do not allow their children to take part in PTM at school for fear of contracting Covid-19.

Head of the Yogyakarta Education, Youth and Sports Office Didik Wardaya said, for students who are not allowed by their parents to join PTM, the school will hold online learning so that they do not miss their lessons at school. (MED/ITA/BRO/JOL/HRS/ NCA/ WER/ ELN)

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.