Boyolali Refuses To Apply 100 Percent PTM Even Though The Government Allows It

Illustration of face-to-face learning (PTM). (Between)

BOYOLALI - The Education and Culture Office (Disdikbud) of Boyolali Regency still has not allowed schools to conduct 100 percent face-to-face learning (PTM). All schools continue to implement limited PTM according to the Boyolali Regent's SE. "We are still implementing limited PTM because Boyolali is still PPKM level 2 according to the Boyolali Regent's Circular (SE)," said Head of the Boyolali District Education and Culture Office, Darmanto, in Boyolali, Monday 9 May.

According to Darmanto, after the government allowed the 2022 Eid homecoming followed by student holidays at all levels of education, schools will continue to apply limited PTM today.

Darmanto said that his party was still running a limited PTM even though the central government had given easing because the COVID-19 pandemic had slowed down.

"We have not implemented PTM with 100 percent capacity, because it is still a pandemic, so strict health protocols (prokes) are still needed," he said quoting Antara.

This, he said, was also in accordance with the joint decree (SKB) of the four ministers regarding PTM, it was stated that starting January 2022, all education units in PPKM levels 1, 2, and 3 are required to implement limited PTM.

However, in the future, his party will continue to see the development of the condition of the COVID-19 case in Boyolali in the implementation of learning in hundreds of state and private elementary schools and dozens of public and private junior high schools.

"There is still no policy change, but in line with the conditions for the implementation of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) which is getting better, my job is to evaluate what has been done because now PTM is still limited with health protocols," he explained.

Talking about vaccination, the vaccination for children in both elementary and junior high schools is 100 percent and his party encourages all teachers to carry out booster vaccinations.

Although the coverage of the first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccination for the target group of children aged six to 11 years, which totals 95,713 children, have reached 105 percent and 101.5 percent, respectively, if the status of the pandemic has not become endemic, PTM is still limited.

"During the pandemic, in principle, there are two things that must be prioritized in the implementation of education, namely the health and safety of students, educators, and education personnel as well as child development," he said.

In limited PTM activities, so far it has been carried out in 530 kindergartens (TK), 581 elementary schools (SD), 98 junior high schools (SMP) in Boyolali Regency.