The school cluster case has occurred in all areas, and there are regions that have implemented remote learning. Regional governments should not hesitate to implement distance learning if requiredTangerang, Banten (ANTARA) - The Public Health Association (IAKMI) of South Tangerang voiced its support to local governments implementing distance learning to prevent a spike in COVID-19 cases and to safeguard students against transmission of the virus.
"The regional governments' step to implement distance learning is pertinent on account of the current condition (of COVID-19). Distance learning is an effort to prevent new clusters from forming," Head of IAKMI of South Tangerang City, Mustakim, noted as contacted here on Monday.
Mustakim assessed that the regional governments should take precautionary measures against the emergence of COVID-19 clusters in schools as early as possible. This step can also be taken by the regional governments in Greater Tangerang when the results of active surveillance found clusters of COVID-19, he remarked.
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Moreover, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology allowed regional governments to halt face-to-face learning as an effort to protect residents from COVID-19 transmission.
Nevertheless, he noted that the temporary suspension of face-to-face learning must be balanced with information on the re-implementation of face-to-face learning in order to offer a sense of certainty to students’ parents or guardians. This is because face-to-face learning is an optimal learning mode that several parents expect to be implemented, he remarked.
Speaking in connection with regions that still implement face-to-face learning, he urged the governments to increase surveillance on the field. The Education Offices are urged to actively monitor and conduct COVID-19 testing at schools.
Mustakim stressed that if a COVID-19 case is found, the regional government should promptly halt face-to-face learning and implement remote learning and then conduct testing to prevent transmission.
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"The school cluster case has occurred in all areas, and there are regions that have implemented remote learning. Regional governments should not hesitate to implement distance learning if required," he remarked.
Earlier, the Indonesian government had regulated learning in educational units through the Instruction of Home Affairs Minister (Inmendagri) Number 5 of 2022 on Levels 3, 2, and 1 of Public Activity Restrictions (PPKM) in Java and Bali that 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 conducted through limited face-to-face or distance learning modes.
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Translator: Achmad Irfan, Raka Adji
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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