As long as there are no regions with PPKM level 3, then the 100-percent PTM will continue with the application of stringent health protocols.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government will ensure to continue to apply the 100-percent capacity face-to-face learning (PTM) policy through conducting stringent monitoring and prioritizing children’s health, Presidential Staff Office’s (KSP’s) Deputy II, Abetnego Tarigan, stated.

“The students’ health will certainly be prioritized, and the KSP will encourage educational units through related ministries or institutions to conduct random and routine surveillance of people at schools," he noted.

"This necessitates collaboration among schools, the education office, and health office," he remarked through a press statement on Tuesday.

The implementation of 100-percent offline schooling adjusts to the Public Activity Restriction (PPKM) level in each region in accordance with the Four Ministers Joint Decree (SKB), he noted.

This means that the higher the COVID-19 risk, the higher will be the PPKM level, and the face-to-face learning policy will be directed toward online schooling.

Related news: No plan to halt face-to-face learning: Minister Pandjaitan
"Within the Four Ministers Joint Decree, if a region is declared to be at level 3, then education institutions could implement limited face-to-face learning or online learning," he elaborated.

"As long as there are no regions with PPKM level 3, then the 100-percent PTM will continue with the application of stringent health protocols," he noted.

He called on the students' parents or guardians to not harbor excessive concerns, especially amid the current rise in cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

"Parents should be wary, though not panic excessively because education is also important. Regardless, the quality of face-to-face learning is better than online schooling," he remarked.

Earlier, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan emphasized that the government will continue to implement face-to-face learning at schools.

This decision was made on account of no extraordinary events reported so far amid the spread of the Omicron strain.

"If there are extraordinary events (regarding the Omicron spread), then a separate decision will be taken. Hence, we have no plan to halt face-to-face learning," Pandjaitan remarked.
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Translator: Rangga Jingga, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Suharto
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