Keep Your Spirits High, President Jokowi Tells Students As Schools Are Back Online

Students have a conversation with President Jokowi during COVID-19 mass vaccination on Wednesday (14/07). Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Lukas

Amid the surge in COVID-19 cases in Indonesia, the Government has suspended the plan to allow face-to-face learning and schools have now been ordered to conduct classes online again.

In response to that, a number of high school students on Wednesday (14/07) held a dialog through video conference with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on sidelines of the COVID-19 mass vaccination that targeted 15,000 junior high school students and 15,000 senior high school students in fourteen provinces across the country.

One of the students, Ayu Lestari, a student of Senior High School 1 Tanjungpinang, asked the President:
“After the vaccination program for students is finished, is there any possibility for face-to-face learning? We really miss studying at school, Sir.”

Answering her question, the President explained that the Government previously had a plan to allow face-to-face learning on a limited basis this month.

However, the recent increase in the number of COVID-19 cases has made the Government suspend the plan, he added.

According to the President, once the number of COVID-19 cases decreases, the option to reopen face-to-face learning in schools could be possible. Therefore, the President asked the students to keep the sprits high in their online learning.

Another student, Jasmine, a student from Senior High School 1 Sentani, Papua, said that she missed her school and was eager to meet her teachers and her friends again.

Some other other students, however, prefer online learning to face-to-face learning

“I really like online learning, Sir. When I access an online school, I can explore various ways of learning. During face-to-face learning, the teacher usually gives book-based assignments. With an online learning, I can learn through various forms,” Vania, a student of Junior High School 103 Jakarta said.

On that occasion, President Jokowi also reminded the students to maintain discipline in observing health protocols, including by keeping a safe distance, avoiding crowd, and wearing a face mask. (TGH/BPMI/UN) (RI/EP)