Increasing COVID-19 Cases, Education Agency Assesses Face-to-Face School Postponement Plans In East Java

ILLUSTRATION / Disdik DKI

SURABAYA - The East Java Education Office is reviewing a plan to postpone face-to-face school activities in early 2021. The consideration is that COVID-19 cases in East Java are increasing.

"We are currently still reviewing whether face-to-face schools will be postponed or will still be implemented early this year. Because currently there are no yellow zones in East Java, there are even two areas that are red zones, namely Jember and Probolinggo," said the Head of the East Java Education Office. , Wahid Wahyudi, in Surabaya, Thursday, December 10.

Wahid said, based on data up to December 9, there were 36 districts / cities in East Java with the status of the yellow zone for the spread of COVID-19. Meanwhile, two regions, Jember and Probolinggo, have the status of the red zone for the spread of COVID-19.

"What is the guideline when implementing face-to-face schools in January is the condition of COVID-19 in an area. If conditions do not allow face-to-face schools to be held, then East Java will postpone it first," he said.

With the high number of COVID-19 cases again, the former Head of the East Java Transportation Service will tighten health protocols during face-to-face school trials in SMA / SMK.

"We are currently conducting face-to-face school trials with strict health protocols including maintaining distance. Classes that should have been filled with 36 students, currently only have 18 to 19 students," said Wahid.

Although studying the possibility of postponing face-to-face schools if the COVID-19 case is still high, Wahid emphasized that SMA / SMK in East Java is ready to hold face-to-face schools in January.

"God willing, East Java is ready to conduct face-to-face schools. This means that the facilities and infrastructure for holding face-to-face schools in private public schools are ready, SOPs are ready. Including coordination with health centers, the nearest hospital has been carried out. However, the implementation is still waiting for the condition of COVID-19," he said.