Jakarta (ANTARA) - House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Puan Maharani has called for an evaluation of the implementation of 100-percent face-to-face learning (PTM) until vaccinations for children can be realized more equally.

This step has to be taken especially since a new COVID-19 variant, the Omicron, has emerged, she said in a statement released here on Monday.

She released the statement in response to several regions rolling out 100-percent face-to-face learning on Monday.

The policy refers to the Four Ministries Joint Decree (SKB) on Learning Activities during the COVID-19 Pandemic Guide, which allows regions with Level 1 and 2 public activity restrictions (PPKM) to implement 100-percent PTM.

Related news: Promptly respond to Omicron detected in East Java: Legislator

Maharani asked the government to consider the advice of experts, who believe that 100-percent face-to-face learning should not be carried out at the moment.

"Not every school has the adequate facilities and infrastructure to support 100-percent face-to-face learning," she informed.

"The government should consider the readiness aspect of each school to avoid the generalization of the policy's implementation," she said.

In addition, the Speaker deemed 100-percent face-to-face learning as still dangerous for children in the 6–11 age group.

"Complete vaccination first while monitoring the readiness of each school. Afterward, it can be decided whether schools are ready to conduct 100-percent face-to-face learning," she advised.

Related news: Omicron tally reaches 152: Health Ministry

She also said that the government must pay attention to the report of the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI).

According to the report, there are still many health protocol violations being observed in schools, such as teachers not wearing masks while interacting with children, she noted.

"To this end, stringent monitoring is necessary to ensure that every aspect of readiness, including health protocol implementation, has been adhered to by schools across regions," Maharani affirmed.

Moreover, she reminded schools to obtain parents' permission for carrying out face-to-face learning as parents have different considerations.

According to Maharani, schools must continue to support students taking online classes, if their parents do not allow them to attend face-to-face learning.

She said she understood that children have experienced cognitive learning loss as a result of carrying out online learning for almost two years, but this problem can be handled through innovative learning methods.

Related news: Health service explains chronology of Omicron finding in East Java





Translator: Imam B, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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