Parents Disagree, Surabaya City Government Cancels Face-to-Face School Opening Early Years

SURABAYA - The Surabaya City Government canceled its face-to-face learning (PTM) in early 2021. One reason was that most of the student guardians did not agree if PTM was reopened.

"In the four ministerial decree, face-to-face schools can run if the guardian of students gives permission, there is approval from the school committee, approval from the school principal, and finally the approval of the regional head. , "said the Head of the Surabaya City Education Office (Dispendik), Supomo, confirmed on Wednesday, January 6, 2021.

Another reason, continued Supomo, was that many students at Christmas 2020 and New Year 2021 were on vacation. The City Government is worried that if the PTM is forced to be implemented earlier this year, the COVID-19 cases in Surabaya will continue to increase.

"That's why we postponed it (PTM, red) first, because after we saw that when we were on vacation, many of them went on vacation, so no new clusters appeared," he said.

However, Supomo admitted that he would soon meet and evaluate with the steakholders in Surabaya. The goal is to find solutions related to effective learning activities during a pandemic.

"We will later carry out evaluations, coordinating meetings with related experts and competent institutions, so that future learning decisions are the most appropriate," said Supomo.

The Surabaya Administration for Education is still implementing face-to-face school simulations. One of them is at SMPN 1 Surabaya, by implementing health protocols in the form of requiring students to wear masks and faceshields, regulating the number of students, and obliging to wash their hands.