In-Class Learning May Resume in July, Jokowi Says

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Indonesia's President Joko Widodo said on Wednesday that teachers, educators, and lecturers would be prioritized for Covid-19 vaccinations, expecting students to return to in-class learning at the beginning of the second semester. 

This was said by the President, popularly known as Jokowi, during his working visit to SMA 70 public high school in Bulungan, South Jakarta to get a closer look at how teachers, educators, and lecturers receive their first dose Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine.

“Today's vaccination program for educators and teaching staff has started. Everything ran smoothly," said Jokowi on February 24. 

Also read: Indonesian Government Urged to Step Up Covid-19 Vaccine Drive

Jokowi targeted that five million teachers will get two doses of vaccines until next June.

"At the beginning of the semester in July, everything [in-class learning] could go back to normal, and that's what we aim for," said Jokowi.

Accompanying him were Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Education and Culture Minister  Nadiem Makarim, and Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan.

"We want to make sure that teachers and teaching staff complete the vaccination program at the end of June. So that in July, Insya Allah [God willing], schools can be opened," said Nadiem.

Nadiem said the frequency of face-to-face learning in schools would not be done every day.

"But it will only take place two or three times a week, following strict health protocols," he explained.

A total of 600 teachers, teaching staff, and lecturers are scheduled to get the Covid-19 jabs at SMA 70 public school today. They represented various schools and varsities in Greater Jakarta.

Five Million Educators to Get Vaccines

The vaccination program for the educators will be given first to teachers in elementary school, Early Childhood Education (PAUD), and schools for disabled children (SLB), followed by teachers in Junior High School, Senior High School, and Vocational High School.

"We will also conduct the vaccination in universities," said Nadiem.

He went on to say that it has not been easy to carry out online learning for younger students.