Vocational education is most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic since students in vocational schools cannot participate in work practices or internships at companiesJakarta (ANTARA) - Vocational schools, including SMK and STM, were most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, so it is important for these schools to conduct face-to-face learning (PTM), according to Vice President Ma'ruf Amin.
The implementation of PTM at vocational schools can help students, especially doing internships in several companies, Amin remarked in the company of Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan while reviewing PTM at several schools on Wednesday.
"Vocational education is most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic since students in vocational schools cannot participate in work practices or internships at companies," Amin noted in a press statement received here.
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Internship in vocational schools is important to prepare graduates as superior human resources (HR), he emphasized.
"Internship is the most important factor for vocational education in order to prepare skilled and expert human resources in their field," Amin stressed.
The vice president later explained that holding limited PTM was a government policy to address the impacts of distance learning (PJJ) faced by students and parents during the COVID-19 pandemic, including difficulties in absorbing lessons among students and the weak relations between students and teachers on account of no PTM being held.
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"There will be a gap in the relations between students and teachers since they never meet face-to-face, especially for students at the beginner level. Many children drop out of school and so on," he pointed out.
If the daily count of COVID-19 cases is successfully reduced, then the level of restrictions on community activities (PPKM) will also be lowered.
Hence, the limited implementation of PTM will be increased in a measured way in regions. However, if the PPKM level increases again, then limited PTM will be discontinued since the government prioritizes the health and safety of students and teachers.
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Translator: Fransiska N, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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