I came here to witness up close the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the education, culture, and economy
Rote Ndao, East Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA) - Education and Culture Minister Nadiem Anwar Makarim undertook a working visit to Rote Ndao, East Nusa Tenggara, to gauge the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education in the outermost region.

"I came here to witness up close the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the education, culture, and economy," Makarim noted here on Wednesday.

The minister believes it would be difficult to get a clear picture of the real conditions in regions by simply monitoring from Jakarta.

Makarim was keen to gain a first-hand understanding of the manner in which learning activities were conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic in the frontier, outermost, and remote areas or 3T.

"I want to see first-hand what is happening in Rote and to gain a perspective from the children in Rote," he remarked.

The minister had earlier also visited several regions, including Palu in Central Sulawesi and Gianyar and Ubud in Bali, to personally monitor the state of learning activities there.

"I might visit various islands in the East (eastern Indonesia) to really get a feel of what our education system is like and what the culture and economy in those various places in Indonesia are like," he stated.

During his visit to Rote, the minister visited vocational senior high school SMK Rote Barat, state-run elementary school SD Inpres Oehenak, state-run junior high school SMPN 3 Lobalain, state-run senior high school SMAN 1 Lobalain, and kindergarten TK Pembina.

Makarim also met with several woven and Sasando craftsmen.

During the visit, the minister and his delegation were keen to lend an ear to the aspirations of students, educators, and also cultural activists.

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Translator: Indriani, Fardah
Editor: Sri Haryati
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