The Indonesian Pediatrician Association Has Not Recommended Face-to-face Learning

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) has not recommended face-to-face learning (PTM) due to the worrisome situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country and the emergence of a new variant of the corona virus.

"Looking at the situation and the spread of COVID-19 in Indonesia, at this time face-to-face schools have not been recommended," said Nastiti Kaswandani, consultant child respirologist from the COVID-19 Task Force of the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI).

According to him, the requirements for reopening schools, one of which is that local transmission can be controlled when the positivity rate of the PCR SWAB examination is low or less than five percent. In addition, the death rate must also show a decreasing rate.

As far as IDAI is concerned, the positivity rate rarely hits less than five percent. In fact, when compared to the number of tests, Indonesia is also still relatively low.

"This is the problem. When later there are schools that continue to insist face-to-face meetings are open, we cannot stop schools from opening, especially in areas where it is very hard to ask for schools to be opened. So we are forced to make recommendations and provide signs so as not to worsen transmission in the area." school," said Nastiti.

He explained that if face-to-face schools still want to start, then the organizers must prepare Blended Learning (learning method options). Children and parents are given the freedom to choose offline or online learning methods.

"If it is opened, there will be a choice, if parents want their children to stay at home, teachers must be able to facilitate online learning. If there are online and offline children have the same rights, the same treatment," continued Nastiti.

Therefore, Nastiti urged the organizers to look for new innovations in the teaching and learning process considering that the COVID-19 pandemic is not known when it will end.

Some innovations that can be done such as holding the teaching and learning process in open spaces such as parks, fields, or schools in the open. Based on research, if the activity is carried out in an open place the risk of transmission is lower than in a closed room.

Another preparation is vaccination. All teachers and school administrators who come into contact with children must be vaccinated. Then make small study groups so that if later there is a positive confirmation, the tracking process will be easier.

"If it is mixed by involving many people, the tracing process will also get bigger. Meanwhile, our ability to carry out contact tracing is not as good as other countries," said Nastiti.

During PTM, it is also necessary to pay attention to the hours of entering and leaving gradually, so that the accumulation of children can be minimized. Moreover, the instinct of children to gather and play with their peers is so great.

"Gate guarding and strict and disciplined supervision to avoid crowds. Likewise with transportation must be considered. Another thing is to make a risk mapping of students and parents with comorbidities. Children with comorbidities should continue to study online," he said.