Mendikbud-Ristek Nadiem Require Schools To Open After Teachers Are Vaccinated

Nadiem Makarim (Photo: DOK ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Mendikbud-Ristek) Nadiem Makarim requires schools to hold face-to-face learning activities if teachers and educators have received the COVID-19 vaccination.

"The government takes the stance that Alhamdulillah teachers have become a priority for vaccination. So that when these teachers have gone through vaccinations, schools are required to open face-to-face (learning) options," said Nadiem in a discussion on the 2021 National Education Day Commemoration held by the DPP PDI Perjuangan (PDIP), Wednesday, May 5.

He explained that there are several options for schools to carry out face-to-face learning, ranging from morning and evening class rotations or school learning activities only held two to three times a week.

Even so, Nadiem emphasized, the decision of students to do face-to-face learning still rests with the parents. Because, there are parents who think teaching and learning is more effective when done face-to-face, but there are also those who fear their children will be exposed to COVID-19.

"So independence for people determines what level of risk they think they want to take for their children. But schools are required to carry out limited face-to-face meetings," he said.

Nadiem explained, actually there have been several schools that have conducted face-to-face learning since the beginning of 2021 and after obtaining approval from the local government. In practice, this school strictly implements health protocols.

For example, eliminating extracurricular activities and closing the canteen. Then the class capacity must be 50 percent of the total number of students, obliging wearing masks and providing sanitary facilities for washing hands.

"Maybe not many people know, but actually 25 percent of our schools have implemented face-to-face lessons. But the health protocol for face-to-face learning is very strict," he said.

Furthermore, Nadiem hopes that all parties support face-to-face learning by implementing strict health protocols. Moreover, face-to-face learning during a pandemic will be different from usual.

"We have to be the same, the responsibility lies on all parties, including parents who can monitor schools and health programs in their schools. Each school is required to provide face-to-face and full health protocols, limited face-to-face which is completely different from ordinary schools," he concluded .