Jakarta Allows In-Person Learning with 100 Percent School Capacity

TheIndonesia.id - Jakarta provincial government has started to allow in-person learning at schools with 100 percent capacity on Monday.

The policy is in accordance with Joint Ministerial Decree (SKB) of Four Ministers on learning activities during COVID-19 pandemic. Jakarta’s education office also issued a regulation that maps out the rules that must be implemented by schools during the in-person learning.

According to deputy governor of Jakarta Ahmad Riza Patria, in order to be able to carry out the in-person learning with 100 percent capacity, there are certain requirements that must be met by schools: at least 80 percent of teachers are double-jabbed, at least 50 percent of elders in the regency or municipal have received full vaccination, and only 6 lesson-hour are allowed per day.

He also revealed that 10,429 schools implemented the in-person learning with 100 percent capacity, or equal to 97.2 percent from all schools in Jakarta.

Patria reminded every concerned parties to always rigorously implement health protocols as the school opening doesn’t mean the country is free from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Doesn’t mean we’re forgetting [health protocols]. Stay careful and don’t get euphoric,” he said on Monday, January 3, as reported by Antara.

He also asked parents to always monitor their kids and ensure that they go home immediately after school is over. This is to avoid the spread of COVID-19 outside school.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI) has expressed support over the plan but warned every stakeholder to always put the health and safety of children as the foremost priority.

“IDAI support the implementation of in-person learning at the right time and place because children’s health and safety is the most important thing,” secretary general of IDAI Hikari Ambara Sjakti said.

IDAI also provided a number of recommendations, including conducting learning activities in outdoor facilities, like garden and field.

It also suggested schools and government to allow parents to choose between remote or in-person learning and to ensure full accommodation to those who opt for remote learning.