School Children Can Enter, Minister Nadiem: Vaccination Is Not The Main Criterion

JAKARTA - Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Nadiem Anwar Makarim stated that COVID-19 vaccination is not the main criterion for the implementation of limited face-to-face learning (PTM) in the areas where the Level 1 to 3 Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) apply.

"Currently, PTM is limited to all schools in the PPKM Level 1 to 3. Vaccination is not the main criterion," he said during a working meeting with Commission X DPR in Jakarta, reported by Antara, Wednesday, August 25.

"However, there are schools in the PPKM Level 1 to 3 areas that are required to provide face-to-face options, namely schools whose teachers have been vaccinated twice, especially in big cities," he added.

According to him, the coverage of COVID-19 vaccination in big city areas such as Jakarta and Surabaya is generally high and schools have also prepared limited face-to-face learning.

In accordance with the provisions, schools in PPKM Levels 1 to 3 areas that are ready with facilities and infrastructure to support the implementation of health protocols and their teachers who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 are required to provide limited face-to-face learning options for students.

Schools may hold limited PTM if they have fulfilled a checklist that includes the preparation of sanitation and hygiene facilities, body temperature measuring devices, access to health facilities, application of mandatory mask areas, data on school residents who are not allowed to participate in learning activities, and the formation of a task force for handling COVID-19 19.

"For those who are in PPKM Levels 1 to 3 areas who have not done limited PTM, please the community can urge the local government to do face-to-face learning," said Nadiem. Nadiem also said that schools in remote, outermost, and disadvantaged areas with telecommunication access and limited internet is allowed to carry out face-to-face learning.

“Our position is clear, schools that do not have internet access can do limited PTM. My assumption is that the school is in the PPKM Level 1 to 3. Moreover, it is a remote area, which is separated from big cities. There is no reason not to hold a limited PTM," he said.

Meanwhile, Member of Commission X DPR from the Nasdem Faction Ratih Megasari Singkarru said that COVID-19 vaccination for teachers and education personnel as well as students and parents will provide a sense of security in the implementation of face-to-face learning.

"It can provide a sense of security in the limited PTM that is carried out in schools," said Ratih.