Government Officially Require Schools To Open In July, Mendikbud Nadiem: Capacity Only 50 Percent And Teachers Already Vaccinated

JAKARTA - The government issued a Joint Decree (SKB) for four ministers regarding guidelines for implementing learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. In content, the government requires educational institutions to carry out face-to-face learning (PTM) in the coming July.

Minister of Education and Culture Nadiem Makarim said that the government requires education units, from schools to colleges to provide PTM options.

"The central government, local governments, or the offices of the Ministry of Religion require education units to provide limited face-to-face learning services by implementing health protocols," Nadiem said in a virtual press conference, Tuesday, March 30.

However, said Nadiem, this PTM obligation is applied to schools or educational units where teachers and education personnel have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Then, the school also still has to serve online distance learning (PJJ) options.

"So, like it or not, even though vaccination has been completed, it is mandatory to provide limited face-to-face meetings. But it still has to go through a rotation system. So it must provide two or two options, face-to-face and also distance learning," said Nadiem.

When it was opened, Nadiem reminded all education units to keep implementing strict health protocols. First, classrooms must be limited to 50 percent of the existing capacity.

"Of all the conditions, the most important thing is social distancing of at least one and a half meters, keep the distance between benches and chairs, and a maximum of 18 students per class. Usually 36 students, now 50 percent is 18 people," explained Nadiem.

In addition, every member of the school and other educational units must also continue to wear masks, wash their hands frequently using soap, and maintain their distance while there.