Gov’t to Allow Reopening Schools in Green Zones with Several Conditions

Guidelines for Face-to-face Learning for schools in green zones.

The Government has announced that face-to-face learning for schools in COVID-19 ‘green zones’ must consider the students’ ability in adhering to the health protocols.

During a webinar on Monday (15/6), Minister of Education and Culture Nadiem Makarim said that senior and junior high schools are allowed to reopen during the initial stage.

In the meantime, elementary schools will follow at the second phase, while kindergartens will be at the third phase, he added.

However, the schools will be closed again if there is an emerging case of COVID-19 in the region.

The details of schools reopening in green zones, are as follow:

First Stage: Senior high schools, vocational schools, Islamic senior high schools, high school equivalency program, junior high schools, Islamic junior high schools, and junior high school equivalency program;

Second Phase: Elementary schools, elementary school equivalency program, and schools for disabled children will be reopened two months after the first stage.

Third Phase: Formal and non-formal kindergartens will be reopened two months after the second phase.

 Meanwhile, boarding schools still have to continue their education through online learning and are prohibited from reopening during the transition period (in the first two months).

“Reopening of dorms and face-to-face learning will be carried out in stages during the new normal by strictly following the required limit of students per dorm,” the Minister said, while ordering heads of education units in each green zone to fill in list of preparation of school reopening based on the health protocols.

“Ministry of Education and Culture will issue guidelines such as info graphics, posters, pocket books, including information that will be aired in a special show on the public television broadcaster TVRI on the requirements of face-to-face learning in green zones,” he said.

Regarding universities, the Minister pointed out that academic year 2020/2021 will start in August and in September for universities with religious affiliation.

“Universities in all zones must carry on classes through online learning for theory and practice if possible,” he said, adding that if it cannot be carried out through online, the courses will be moved to the end of the semester.

The Minister further said that students are allowed to carry out activities at campus if it complies with the health protocols and policies.

“The policies include activities that cannot be done through online learning such as research at laboratory for undergraduate thesis, master thesis, and doctoral dissertation, as well as practicum at laboratory, studio, workshop, and so on,” he said. (Ministry of Education and Culture/EN)

Translated by : Rany Anjany
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas