Face-to-face Learning Problem, Ganjar Pranowo: Don't Ask Me, Especially If Someone Is Not Permitted

Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo conducted a surprise inspection at SMK Hidayah in Semarang City, Wednesday (7/4/2021). (ANTARA / HO-Public Relations of the Central Java Provincial Government)

JAKARTA - Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo warned schools in his region not to carry out face-to-face learning (PTM) without permission from the Education and Culture Office.

"No messing around, this supervision is difficult, especially if someone does not have a permit. For those who are licensed, we can check one by one," he said during a sudden inspection at Hidayah Vocational School, Semarang City, Wednesday, April 7.

"Later I will have to check, if there are many, we will evaluate it first. If there is someone who violates, then it is closed, no longer allowed," he said.

During the inspection, Ganjar saw that a number of Hidayah Vocational School students in the Banyumanik area had entered school.

According to a SMK Hidayah teacher, schools do not implement PTM. Students who come to school are grade 3 students who take the skills competency test (UKK).

During the inspection, the governor also found that some teachers did not wear masks when carrying out activities at school and there were teachers who took off their masks when delivering lesson material in class.

"Hey, wear a mask, don't crowd around. Teachers have to set a good example, I remind you," he said.

"There are three notes I have this morning that must be evaluated, if I do not comply with the health protocol, I will revoke the permit," he added.

The governor has ordered the Central Java Province Education and Culture Office to check schools that present students to the school, whether to take part in the PTM or skills competency test for grade 3 vocational high school (SMK) students.

"We convey this evaluation so that everyone cares. I am a person who believes in the discipline of health services and SOPs should be started from the teacher, not with the students," he said.

"Students are relatively easy to manage if they are warned, the teacher warned who ... So I asked the school to create a COVID-19 team. I asked them, they have already received permission from the Department for UKK, so it is fine," he said.

He said that schools other than the 140 schools designated by the provincial government as implementers of face-to-face learning trials must apply for permission if they want to carry out face-to-face learning trials.

The Central Java Provincial Government carried out face-to-face learning trials by implementing health protocols to prevent transmission of COVID-19 in 140 schools from 5 to 16 April 2021.

Face-to-face learning trials were conducted in 35 junior high schools, 35 high schools, 35 vocational high schools, and 35 Islamic madrasas in Central Java.

The provincial government postponed the implementation of face-to-face learning trials at the early childhood education, kindergarten and elementary school levels after receiving input from a number of experts.