The Jakarta Education Agency Does Not Intervene With ACG Schools That Leave Students On Holiday Due To COVID-19

JAKARTA - ACG School Jakarta international school was forced to close teaching and learning activities for 14 days. This decision was taken, after one of the teachers at the school was treated and showed symptoms of illness similar to infection with the corona virus or COVID-19.

Head of the DKI Jakarta Education Agency, Nahdiana, confirmed the news that ACG School had closed student teaching and learning activities at his school. Regarding the reasons for the dismissal of educational activities carried out without instructions from the regional government.

"They are giving off (learning activities) in anticipation, because there are some international schools who are not Indonesian citizens, that's their anticipation," said Nahdiana when met at the DPRD DKI Building, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, March 4.

Furthermore, Momon said, private schools are not under the authority of the Education Office, so that all policies do not have direct coordination between schools and the Education Office.

"There is no instruction from us to close school," he continued

Nahdiana claimed to have coordinated through a circular to all schools, both public, private and international, to increase awareness of the spread of the corona virus.

The letter contains an appeal to the school to disseminate information about symptoms, signs and ways to prevent transmission of the corona virus to all teachers, employees, students, parents of students, as well as managers of formal and non-formal education.

In addition, he appealed to school residents to maintain their health by adopting a clean and healthy lifestyle.

"We are now reminding us about the culture of washing hands with soap and running water, but even though there is no corona condition like this, there will definitely be someone who is sick. If someone is sick, of course they will seek medical treatment," said Nahdiana.

Based on the official statement of the Principal of ACG School Jakarta, Shawn Hutchinson, the school was closed for 14 days, from March 3 to March 16. All levels of the school were closed, starting from kindergarten, elementary, junior high and high school levels.

"One of our teachers has been tested for the coronavirus and we are waiting for the results. The self-quarantine period will last 14 days unless we receive confirmation of a negative result," said Shawn.

To students and their families, Shawn asked for information if they experienced symptoms similar to corona virus infections such as flu and cough. "Our priority now is to ensure the safety of our schools," he said.

To maintain the continuity of children's education, ACG School Jakarta has developed and implemented an online curriculum and online teaching support for all students.