In-Person Learning: Brief Meeting That Brings Happiness

When the number of new Covid-19 cases has begun to subside, the reopening of schools gets the green light. But it is important for the sake of mutual safety, because the pandemic is still threatening.

KOMPAS/SEKAR GANDHAWANGI

Learning activities at SMAN 25 Jakarta on Friday (24/9/2021). SMAN 25 Jakarta is one of the schools that holds limited face-to-face learning (PTM) as of August 30, 2021. The number of students who can take part in PTM is limited to only 50 percent of the maximum capacity, while others take lessons from home.

The plan to reopen schools at the beginning of the 2021/2022 school year in July was canceled because Indonesia was suddenly hit by a second wave of Covid-19. Now, when the number of new Covid-19 cases has begun to subside, the reopening of schools gets the green light. Hope to study together again at schools is growing.

After about 1.5 years of being closed due to Covid-19, SMAN 25 Jakarta state senior high school finally held limited face-to-face learning activities for the first time on 30 Aug. Schools are allowed to open in areas where the public activity restrictions (PPKM) level has been reduced from 4 to 3.

Schools are allowed to carry out in-person leaning if they have met the requirements imposed by the Education, Culture, Research and Technology Ministry. The head of SMAN 25 Jakarta, Saryanti, said on Friday (9/24/2021) that it was not easy for the school to meet the requirements in order to be able to resume in-person learning.

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SMAN 25 state senior high school had twice submitted a request to hold in-class learning but both requests were rejected. The school was finally allowed to carry out limited face-to-face learning after its third request was accepted. "We learn from it and try to fulfill the things that are lacking," said Saryanti.

The school also provides teachers with walkie-talkies to regulate student movement. In each class, teachers are provided with a tripod to support the teacher\'s device during in-person learning, which may be attended by a maximum of 50 percent of the students. The other 50 percent learn online from home.

The teachers pay close attention to the children’s movements to ensure they comply with health protocols. "Come on, keep your distance. Don\'t get too close,” said a teacher when he saw two students leaving the room together.

At the end of school hours, the teachers help each other to arrange for the students to return home. Students are required to leave the classrooms alternately.

KOMPAS/SEKAR GANDHAWANGI

A teacher at SDN 07 Cideng, Jakarta, shows a list of student attendance in his class on Friday (9/24/2021). SDN 07 Cideng is one of the schools that hold limited face-to-face learning (PTM) in Jakarta. Offline learning takes place three times a week and is attended by only 50 percent of students, while others study from home.

Separately, the head of SDN Cideng 07 state elementary school in Jakarta, Ratna Suminar, said that to minimize exposure to the virus, children must be picked up by their parents or relatives. A number of teachers wait at the school gate asking parents which children they are picking up.

Meanwhile, student vaccination is also a concern for schools. The head of SMA 10 state senior high school in Padang, Parendangan, said that as of Thursday last week, out of a total of 1,005 students, 653 students had not been vaccinated against Covid-19. They would get their first jab at the next vaccination program carried at the school. Meanwhile, teachers and school personnel have all received their second dose of Covid-19 vaccine . "Vaccination is not a mandatory requirement, but for convenience of the face-to-face learning process," he said.

Interaction

The reopening of the school was welcomed by a number of students. Alif Syahdan (16), a grade X student of SMAN 25 Jakarta, has attended class only four times since entering high school in the new school year. He has so far studied from home.

“Learning at school is more fun than at home. I can interact directly with people and understand the teacher\'s explanation better when I\'m at school," said Alif.

One of the grade IX students of SMPN 5 Yogyakarta, Evelyne Dyah (13), said she was happy to be able to join in-person learning because she could meet friends and teachers again. "Obviously, it\'s really nice to meet friends and teachers, although it\'s still limited and can\'t be the same as it used to be, but it is fun," he said.

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Malang Health Office head Husnul Muarif said the key to the success and safety of in-person learning was parental and school supervision.

"Supervision, for example, must be conducted after the end of school hours. Students must go straight home and when they are sick they are not allowed to come to school. While at school, the students must be reminded not to borrow stationery from each other, keep wearing masks during the learning process, and so on. Supervise and remind each other, this is the key,” said Husnul.

Novianti (41), a parent of a grade II student at a public junior high school in Malang city, had always reminded schoolteachers when she saw some of the students violating the health protocols. "To make everyone aware that the pandemic has not ended yet, we must continue to be strict. I feel like I\'m fussy. But it is important for the sake of mutual safety, because the pandemic is still threatening," she said. (SKA/HRS/DIA/JOL/ERK/AIN)

This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi.