Schools In Solo That Don't Have COVID-19 Cases, Can Continue PTM Next Monday

Head of the Surakarta City Education Office Etty Retnowat (Photo via Antara)

JAKARTA - The Surakarta City Government stated that schools without COVID-10 cases could resume face-to-face learning (PTM) starting next week or Monday, February 14.

"Our circular has conveyed that today we are evaluating, for schools that were not exposed, Monday can be PTM," said Head of the Surakarta City Education Office Etty Retnowati in Solo, Central Java, Friday, February 11, quoted from Antara.

However, he is not sure how many schools will be able to organize PTM next week.

"Not yet, it's still a process. Hopefully everything will be fine, but at least there are some schools that still haven't cleared their 'tracing'," he said.

He said that apart from holding PTM, there is distance learning (PJJ) so that students who have not received approval from their parents to come to school can take part online.

"Schools must facilitate both and schools can ask for parental approval. Parents may want PTM, but some are worried," he said.

As for capacity, he said, it would follow the health protocol rules.

"Still have to prokes, it can't be violated. For the capacity, if the room is large, it can be up to 28 people, but if not, then half," he said.

On the same occasion, Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka ensured that he would not force parents to enroll their children in PTM.

"If you come to school, please, if you are still afraid, go for PJJ. PJJ is not considered absent, we will return it to the parents. Next week we will evaluate again, we will see more PTM or PJJ," he said.

One of the students of SDN 1 Kleco Surakarta Queen Kyla said she prefers PTM because she can meet directly with teachers and friends at school. "I prefer PTM than PJJ," he said.