Schools In Yogyakarta Again Implement Fully Online Learning

YOGYAKARTA - All schools in the city of Yogyakarta have again implemented full online learning to minimize the risk of transmission of the corona virus amid the high number of COVID-19 cases in the city.

"Based on the results of joint coordination, the application of online learning applies to all levels of school from March 1 to 7," said Head of the Yogyakarta City Education, Youth and Sports Office, Budhi Asrori in Yogyakarta as reported by Antara, Tuesday, March 1.

According to him, the main consideration for fully re-implementing online learning is the high number of COVID-19 cases in Yogyakarta City and Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY) last week, which reached more than 2,000 cases per day.

The implementation of full online learning is expected to help reduce the daily number of COVID-19 cases in the City of Yogyakarta and DIY.

"Just yesterday, Monday (28/2), daily case confirmations fell below 1,500 cases. Hopefully, the implementation of this online learning can help reduce cases," said Budhi.

The Yogyakarta City Education, Youth and Sports Office, according to him, also received reports regarding the findings of COVID-19 cases in students and teachers at schools.

"There are quite a number of them. Therefore, re-learning is carried out online," he said.

Budhi asked students to remain disciplined in implementing health protocols for a week following online learning from home.

He also asked schools to re-evaluate the implementation of health protocols and try to ensure that health protocols can be applied in a disciplined manner when re-learning is carried out face-to-face.

"Actually, schools have also routinely carried out disinfection to prevent transmission," he said.

Meanwhile, Head of SMP Negeri 8 Yogyakarta City Retna Wuryaningsih said that the online learning policy was implemented to coincide with the implementation of the mid-semester assessment (PTS).

"PTS is also carried out with an online system. Today, all students from grades 7, 8, and 9 are participating," he said.

PTS at SMP Negeri 8 Yogyakarta is scheduled to finish on Wednesday (9/3) and will likely continue to be conducted online although according to a circular letter online learning is only held until Monday (7/3).

"The implementation of online learning is also considered safer and more comfortable for students as well as teachers and other school residents because the cases are still high," said Retna.

Moreover, he continued, students studying at SMP Negeri 8 Yogyakarta not only come from the city of Yogyakarta, but some also come from Sleman and Bantul.

"So, for mutual health and safety, the choice of online learning is considered better so that there is no widespread transmission," he said.