During a working visit to Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta, on Saturday, the governor said that the implementation of face-to-face learning must remain limited to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission at schools.
"We still limit it (face-to-face learning). For little children, maybe we will let them have time off," he added.
Meanwhile, regional secretary of Yogyakarta, Kadarmanta Baskara Aji, who accompanied the governor during the visit, affirmed that the provincial government of Yogyakarta is coordinating with the city and district governments in regulating the implementation of face-to-face learning to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
"We have coordinated with the city and district governments and the Education Office to evaluate the time limit and capacity (for face-to-face learning)," he asserted.
He said that the restrictions regarding time and capacity for face-to-face learning activities at schools are part of the government's efforts to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, including its new variant, Omicron, that has started to spread in the country.
Related news: Direct learning in limbo again as virus spreads in schools
Earlier, the Indonesian Government had regulated learning in educational units through the Instruction of Home Affairs Minister (Inmendagri) Number 5 of 2022 concerning Levels 3, 2, and 1 of Public Activity Restrictions (PPKM) in Java and Bali, which was issued on January 24, 2022.
The regulation allowed learning activities in educational institutions in districts and cities in Java-Bali implementing Level 1 PPKM to be carried out through limited face-to-face or distance modes.
The regulation is based on the Joint Decree of the Minister of Education and Culture, Research and Technology, Religious Minister, Health Minister, and Home Affairs Minister, Number 05/KB/2021, Number 1347 of 2021, Number HK.01.08/MENKES/ 6678/2021, and Number 443- 5847 of 2021 on guidelines for the implementation of learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Related news: Learning about tolerance from Singkawang junior high school students
Translator: Sutarmi, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2022