Reopening Schools in the Yellow Zones

The Education and Culture Minister, Nadiem Makarim, allows schools in areas with a low level of COVID-19 transmission rate or yellow zones to start face-to-face learning activities. He revealed that it was one of the government’s attempts to reduce the adverse effects of distance learning (PJJ) on students. “Some of the effects are very negative and permanent for students,” he said, Friday (8/7).

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 Task Force’s head, Doni Monardo, said that the decision to open schools would depend on related regional policies and parents’ blessings. He also explained that the government would give options to regional heads whose territories were not green zones. Furthermore, Doni stated that the school reopening and face-to-face learning process had to pass through a simulation. “The pre-condition stages must be a priority. Principals and teachers should not start without going through any simulation,” he said. Doni also emphasized that schools had to provide several health facilities such as body heat detectors, hand sanitizers, and health protocols.