Nadiem Reveals Problems Experienced By Students During Online Learning, From Signals To Depression

Minister of Education and Culture and Research and Technology Nadiem Makarim (DOK ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Mendikbud-Ristek) Nadiem Makarim said that his party had evaluated distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result, there are a number of problems, including the psychosocial aspects that are found among students in the country.

This was conveyed by Nadiem in a talk show commemorating the 2021 National Education Day (Hardiknas) held by the PDIP Central Executive Board (DPP).

The first problem most commonly found is connectivity and the absence of cell phones or other infrastructure to support Online Learning (PJJ). In fact, these two things are the most important parts in implementing teaching and learning activities outside of school.

"Thus, it is very difficult to implement PJJ in various regions", said Nadiem in an event broadcast on the PDIP Party's YouTube, Wednesday, May 5.

Second, many children experience boredom at home. This was due to a large number of video conferencing that was held, which prevented children from interacting directly with their friends.

This then creates feelings of loneliness in students and often makes them feel depressed. "Not to mention the added variety of domestic problems, ranging from stress caused by too much interaction at home and less outside", said Nadiem.

Not only that, but his party also often received reports of students experiencing domestic violence.

However, he considered, this kind of thing also happened in various parts of the world. "So not only in Indonesia. (This happens, red) also (because, red) the level of stress of parents who are busy guiding their children in the distance learning process", he said.

From the existing evaluation, the government then assesses that the implementation of PJJ is not optimal, especially for remote and outermost areas that do not have an adequate technological infrastructure.

"We can no longer wait and sacrifice learning and mental health than our students", said Nadiem.

For this reason, his party is slowly opening face-to-face schools. However, implementing the health protocol remains the most important thing.

"So I go to school, there is no extracurricular, and no canteen. Go to school and go straight home. And half of the class capacity cannot be in one room at the same time. In all schools to do face-to-face, one must do a rotation process. Of course, masks are mandatory. Sanitary facilities are also mandatory, the checklist is also very clear", he explained.

Apart from that, the decision of the child to stay in school or learn distance also rests with the parents. "But schools are required to conduct limited face-to-face meetings, giving limited face-to-face options to all students once the teacher has been vaccinated", said Nadiem.

Responding to the statement, a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) Commission X, Andreas Hugo Pareira said that his party appreciated the government for evaluating and mapping problems related to the implementation of PJJ.

"However, what we are important to underline is the decision still lies with the parents and students, whether to do PJJ or face-to-face school", he concluded.