By: Alfisyah Dianasari )*
Face-to-face learning (PTM) has been implemented in almost all schools, of course the implementation of PTM must be accompanied by the application of strict health protocols, both for teachers, students and staff. As the number of positive confirmed cases of Covid-19 increases, of course, the implementation of PTM must be evaluated.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) asked his staff to thoroughly evaluate PTM policies, especially in the Java-Bali region. The order was put forward by Jokowi while giving a briefing at a limited meeting on the evaluation of PPKM from Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman International Airport, Balikpapan, East Kalimantan.
The limited meeting, which was held virtually, was held behind closed doors on January 31, 2022. The transcript of Jokowi's direction to the ministers at the meeting was published on the Cabinet Secretariat website.At least, there are three areas that are Jokowi’s priorities for evaluation regarding face-to-face learning. The three regions are West Java, DKI Jakarta and Banten. It should be noted that the development of Covid-19 cases in Java-Bali continues to increase. In fact, several cases were found in schools during the face-to-face learning period.
West Java, DKI Jakarta and Banten are currently implementing level 2 Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) in these three areas.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chairperson of the DKI Jakarta DPRD, M Taufik, assessed that the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is the party that knows best whether face-to-face learning (PTM) in Jakarta needs to be evaluated or not. He said this in response to President Joko Widodo’s remarks that asked PTM in the midst of a spike in Covid-19 cases to be re-evaluated.
Currently, the DKI Jakarta provincial government is holding a meeting to discuss PTM policies in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Ahmad Riza Patria said the meeting would be accompanied by an evaluation of the extent to which PTM could take place in the midst of a surge in Covid-19 cases.
Riza explained, DKI Jakarta will continue to monitor so that face-to-face learning can run well. Likewise with the evaluation that has been running, so that face-to-face learning can be carried out in accordance with existing regulations.
On a different occasion, the City Government (Pemkot) of Bogor, West Java, decided to temporarily suspend limited face-to-face learning activities (PTM) which had been running for approximately three months. The decision was taken after the number of transmission of Covid-19 cases in the city of Bogor has increased at least in the last two weeks.
Bogor Mayor Bima Arya Sugiarto said the concern about the transmission of Covid-19 in the school environment was one of the parameters for the PTM decision to be temporarily suspended. Bima said that the temporary suspension of PTM applies to all levels of education for an indefinite period of time.
Bima said that his party wants to protect families at home because managing children in the classroom is much more difficult than managing people in restaurants and malls. This is an unusual situation.
He said, the Bogor City Government continued to accelerate the Covid-19 vaccination, especially for children aged 6-11 years. Currently, the achievement of vaccination for children aged 6-11 years in Bogor City for the first dose has reached 90%. Meanwhile, the second dose is already at 70%.
Meanwhile, Head of the Bogor City Education Office (Disdik) Hanafi explained, currently the Bogor City Government is still formulating a time to ensure that the postponement of PTM is officially enforced. Hanafi said that the Bogor City Education Office had informed all schools about the postponement of PTM from kindergarten, elementary, junior high, high school, madrasah, to Islamic boarding schools.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Banten Province Education and Culture Office (Dindikbud) Tabrani issued Circular Letter (SE) number 421/0256-Dindikbud/2022 which was distributed to all school principals at the SMA, SMK, public schools and private schools in Banten.
In the SE issued on January 31, 2022, in addition to requiring the presence of PTM as much as 25% in one class, Tabrani also requires all school principals to periodically report on the PTM and PJJ processes through the Head of the Branch Office of Education and Culture in their respective regions. respectively. The evaluation of PTM is, of course, an important step, so that the government can take measurable policies as long as the pandemic is not over.
)* The author is a citizen living in Depok, West Java
