The Fate Of Education In The New Concept Of Normality

Illustrations (Photo: Ivan Aleksic, Unsplash)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has echoed the concept of new normality with the aim of improving the economic sector that has declined due to the impact of COVID-19. In this concept, a number of economic centers will be opened with a note that promoting health protocols.

However, the government does not seem to be paying attention to this concept. In fact, the quality of Indonesia's education has also dropped sharply due to the ongoing spread of COVID-19.

Educational Observers and Practitioners from the Center for Education Regulations & Development Analysis (CERDAS) Indra Charismiadji said that support from the education sector should be needed to improve the slumping economy. This is because improving the world of education will produce good human resources (HR) and lead to the economy.

The government has not paid attention to the education sector, indicating the lack of seriousness in advancing the country's economy which collapsed when the impact of COVID-19.

"It shows that there is no serious commitment from the government to building human resources. In fact, economy must first be strengthened in terms of human resources," said Indra to VOI, Thursday, May 28.

Since the early days of COVID-19, said Indra, the government has only issued a few policies related to the world of education, namely, learning from home and referring to two electronic media as student learning facilities. In fact, the learning pattern is not effective due to the fact that many children still do not receive good quality education.

"Since the first time the minister issued a circular to study at the government house, there has been absolutely no evaluation," said Indra.

For this reason, it is recommended that the government also pay attention to the education sector in the new normality concept. This can be done with the same pattern (online) but prioritizing mentoring.

The pattern of education in the midst of COVID-19, said Indra, could follow the work patterns of modern companies. Students do not need face to face with the teacher and learning methods do not need lectures. But more to improve or increase education assistance.

"First, the child does not have to be in school. Second, they do not have to study in a lecture model, but the government can arrange a learning management system, can make diagnostic evaluations. So children are still accompanied when learning with a new pattern," said Indra.

Improvement of Mentoring Patterns

For now, the teaching and learning process is less effective because there is no mentoring from the teacher. They only provide a pile of homework (PR) that must be done and reported.

Thus, the quality of education has decreased because there is no monitoring and assistance regarding whether students can understand the lesson. To fix this, the government can change and add mentoring not only for students but for teachers.

The assistance is intended to provide information or knowledge about good and correct teaching and learning procedures in the midst of the COVID-19 disaster. So, in the future students can better understand the learning material.

"The training should be arranged immediately, assistance related to how they can slowly upgrade themselves to be able to teach with online concepts," said Indra.

For your information, in the concept of new normality means a change in behavior to continue carrying out normal activities so as to boost the economic sector. However, stick with health protocols to prevent transmission of COVID-19.

New normality rules have also been issued through the Decree of the Minister of Health (KMK) Number HK.01.07 / MENKES / 328/2020 concerning Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Covid-19 in Office and Industrial Workplaces in Support of Business Continuity in Pandemic Situations.