Minister Of Education And Culture: If There Are COVID-19 Cases, Schools Must Be Closed Again

JAKARTA - The government requires schools and other education units to implement face-to-face learning (PTM) in July with certain conditions.

However, the Minister of Education and Culture Nadiem Makarim said that the central government, local governments, and the regional offices of the Ministry of Religion would monitor implementation activities in each school.

If a COVID-19 case is found, the head of the education unit is required to handle the case and can temporarily stop face-to-face learning at the school.

"If there is an infection in the school, the face-to-face learning can be suspended and the school should be closed immediately as long as the infection is still present or occurs", Nadiem said in a virtual press conference, Tuesday, March 30.

In the event that there is a central government policy, for example, a region or sub-district is implementing Restrictions on Community Activities (PPKM), the regional government can also stop the face-to-face learning (PTM) if there is an increase in cases in its area.

"If there is an infection, it must be temporarily closed for the school and if the area is conducting PPKM or restrictions, it is also permissible for face-to-face learning to be temporarily suspended beforehand", he explained.

If the schools opened, all educational units will still apply strict health protocols. First, classrooms must be limited to 50 percent of the existing capacity.

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.

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

According to him, all education units must fill out a checklist before starting face-to-face learning services.

"The government ensures that compliance with the health protocol checklist is strictly adhered to", said Nadiem.

"This checklist has been distributed to all schools, we have known for months since the green and yellow zones were opened, this checklist is the same according to the protocol from the Ministry of Health", he explained.