Schools In Yogyakarta Target 100 Percent PTM In The Third Week Of January With Various Conditions That Must Be Met

Face-to-face learning activities at MTs Negeri 1 Yogyakarta, Thursday, January 6 (Photo: Eka AR/Antara)

JAKARTA - The Yogyakarta City Youth and Sports Education Office targets to be able to run face-to-face learning at 100 percent capacity starting the third week of January with various conditions that must be met.

"We will evaluate how the implementation of face-to-face learning (PTM) in these two weeks. If schools can manage PTM properly and health protocols can be implemented, then PTM with 100 percent capacity can be started," said Head of the Yogyakarta City Youth and Sports Education Office, Budi Ashrori on the sidelines of an apple at MTs Negeri 1 Yogyakarta, reported by Antara, Thursday, January 6.

Since teaching and learning activities for the second semester of the 2021/2022 academic year began on January 3, schools in Yogyakarta have only implemented PTM with a capacity limitation, which is a maximum of around 70 percent of the total students in the school.

The application of these restrictions is intended to ensure schools can adapt to manage face-to-face learning activities properly and ensure the fulfillment of infrastructure supporting health protocols.

"For example, how schools are able to anticipate potential crowds, consider student pick-up times and other technical matters to anticipate potential transmission," he said.

The Yogyakarta City Education, Youth, and Sports Office will also deploy a team to monitor schools before deciding on the implementation of 100 percent capacity PTM.

In addition to school readiness, another requirement to be able to hold 100 percent PTM is the development of COVID-19 cases in DIY.

In the last two weeks, the addition of cases in DIY is quite low and under control, which is below 10 cases per day. "If the development of the case is considered low enough, then learning can be carried out in 'full' capacity while still carrying out strict health protocols," he said.

As for the achievement of vaccination for teaching staff, Budi said it had reached more than 92 percent and more than 90 percent for students.

"With the full implementation of PTM, we hope that curriculum achievements can be better than last year," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of MTs Negeri 1 Yogyakarta Muhammad Iriyadi said the school was ready to implement 100 percent PTM but was still waiting for provisions from the local government.

"Infrastructure supporting health protocols is quite complete. Students are required to check their temperature and wash their hands before entering class," he said.

A number of regulations were made to anticipate crowds, including students staying in class during recess, teachers monitoring routinely, and arranging student pick-up schedules.

“We also did a simulation applying 100 percent capacity learning. I hope it goes well," he said.

Meanwhile, one of the 9th-grade students of MTs Negeri 1 Yogyakarta, Valent Zalfaisi, said he was happy to be able to run PTM at school again.

“When you study online at home, the atmosphere is more relaxed. But if you study at school, you can immediately understand the subject matter," he said.

Online learning is also often constrained by internet data quotas.

He also admitted that he was not worried about the transmission of COVID-19 as long as he continued to follow health protocols. “I am also usually active in many activities so I often meet many people outside the home. Yes, you still have to maintain the process," he said.