Mayor Of Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan Encourages Schools To Hold Face-to-Face Learning Outside Class

BANJARBARU - The Mayor of Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, M. Aditya Mufti Ariffin encouraged schools to innovate in holding face-to-face learning outside the classroom to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 among students.

"We encourage schools to innovate by holding teaching and learning outside the classroom, either in the school yard or in parks or other public facilities," he said after the PTM preparation meeting in Banjarbaru, quoted by Antara, Friday, September 17.

Aditya allowed schools to take the initiative to carry out PTM outside the classroom or open space in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic because air circulation was smooth and unobstructed, thus preventing virus transmission. Moreover, it is supported by the implementation of strict health protocols.

"Air circulation outside the room is smooth and unobstructed so that students can calmly follow the teaching and learning process. Of course, while still implementing strict health protocols," he said.

The results of the coordination meeting which was also attended by the Deputy Mayor of Wartono, limited PTM is planned to start in October 2021 for schools that meet the requirements.

"We plan to hold a limited PTM in schools in October with conditions and implementing strict health protocols," he said.

Aditya explained that PTM was carried out with the condition that the number of students who had been vaccinated, one-third of the total students and student attendance was carried out two days a week.

The learning process every day is a maximum of four hours or 160 minutes, the attendance of students to school is still determined by parents, and teachers must have been vaccinated.

"Evaluation and PTM reports are carried out every week, the role of UKS is maximized and the coordination of the nearest health center, the completeness of the prokes can be budgeted from BOP or BOS funds according to the rules and regulations," he said.

The mayor said PTM was not carried out for all schools but would be implemented in stages with a school pilot system that was ready, both facilities and other supporting infrastructure. In addition, children who take part in PTM must obtain parental approval.

The Banjarbaru City Government will reward schools that are able to carry out strict health protocols during PTM and ensure that facilities and infrastructure are functioning properly.

"On the other hand, if there are schools that implement slack procedures and infrastructure does not work, there will be 'punishment' (punishment). We hope that 'piloting' (pilot) schools in particular can prepare everything well," said the Mayor of Banjarbaru.