Kemendikbudristek Urges Semester Break According To Academic Calendar

Secretary General of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Suharti (left), at the launch of the Teaching Factory at SMKN 57 Jakarta (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Suharti, has urged the early childhood education (PAUD), basic education (Dikdas), and secondary education (Dikmen) units to continue distributing report cards and school holidays according to the established 2021/2022 academic year calendar.

"The first semester holidays are still available. However, schools are not allowed to add vacation time during the 2021 Christmas and 2022 New Year periods on 24 December 2021 to 2 January 2022 outside of the semester holidays in the education calendar set by the regional government," said Suharti in a written statement in Jakarta, reported by Antara, Thursday, December 16.

PAUD educators and education staff as well as basic and secondary education levels continue to carry out official duties in the education unit according to the education calendar.

Suharti added that the Regional Government in accordance with its authority annually stipulates an educational calendar that includes the start of the school year, setting effective study times, and arranging vacation times.

Not to forget, Secretary-General Suharti asked the Regional Government to maximize the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination for educators, education staff, and students.

"We also hope that parents will allow and encourage their children who have met the terms and conditions to be vaccinated against COVID-19," she said.

Circular of the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Education and Culture Number 32 of 2021 concerning the Implementation of Learning Ahead of the 2021 Christmas Holiday and the New Year of 2022 in the Context of Prevention and Control of COVID-19 is effective from December 14, 2021. This circular is addressed to Governors, Mayors, and Regents.

"Of course, we need to understand together that the pandemic is not over. So, we must remain disciplined in implementing health protocols," said Secretary-General Suharti.