Classes to Stay Online in Indonesian Schools Until Further Notice

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Universities and schools throughout Indonesia have yet to return to  in-class instruction even as the country prepares to get back in business for the New Normal phase.

“Classes from university down to grade school will be held online until further notice, as we are going to put safety first,” Education and Culture Minister Nadiem Makarim said in a video conference on June 15.

“The format of online classes will be retained as schools begin the 2020–2021 school year next July,” he said. "Public and private universities begin their 2020 – 2021 academic year next August, while religious universities will follow suit next September.”

Retaining life in universities

“While university classes will still be held online, it does not mean that life in campus will ground to a halt,” added the former Gojek founder and CEO.

“Students can still go to campus for some urgent needs, especially those related to their graduation, such as theses or dissertation.”

Also read: Indonesia's Health Ministry Prepares For New School Amid the Pandemic

“I suggested that classes that cannot be held online should be held at the end of the semester,” said Nadiem.

"These include laboratory research, workshops and other activities requiring tools and machinery. Even then, they require the use of health and safety protocols.”

Nadiem pointed out that curtailing the activities would result in various problems, not least those that hinder the students’ chances of graduating.

Prolonging studies from home

Nadiem added that online classes will also be the order of the day for primary and secondary schools. “94 percent of all schools [in Indonesia] are in yellow, orange, and red zones, which are not safe enough for face-to-face learning,” he said.

Also read: Covid19: Social Restrictions Extended, Violations Persist in Indonesian Cities

“Face-to-face learning is approved in the six percent of areas designated as green zones. Even then it will depend on the authorities, parents, and other criteria,” said Nadiem. “But if they changed their designation to yellow zones, those classes will be made online as well.”

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Limiting classroom numbers