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Back to school for some
The “new normal” should therefore never erase the idea that the virus is everywhere and remains a threat to our lives. Children are at risk as well, even though studies have found age increases the possibility of getting infected.
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A student poses with his graduation certificate while his teachers congratulate him on June 15, during a drive-thru moving up ceremony in South Tangerang, Banten. JP/Seto Wardhana (JP/Seto Wardhana)
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n line with its policy on easing restrictions, the government has decided to allow schools to reopen in the coming academic year next month. Education and Culture Minister Nadiem Makarim, however, set strict requirements that could render the policy’s implementation next to impossible.
Only schools located in “green zones” – areas with a low risk of COVID-19 infection — will be allowed to conduct learning activities in class. These schools must follow rigid health protocols that include readily available handwashing facilities, the mandatory use of face masks for teachers and students and classroom arrangements that adhere to physical distancing measures.
With regard to physical distancing, schools are only permitted to operate at half their capacity. Therefore, many have advised that schools split their students into morning and afternoon classes, or have students attend class every two days.
Even if schools fulfill all requirements, their reopening is subject to approval from the COVID-19 task force, which identifies red, yellow and green zones, and local governments.
Based on Nadiem’s estimate, schools that are situated in green zones only account for 6 percent of the total number of schools. This means almost all students in the country will continue to study from home.
Nadiem also said the government granted parents the right to decide whether to allow their children to go to school, regardless of the school’s readiness to resume learning activities. Schools, Nadiem said, could not force parents to send their children to class.
Citing the need to get the economy going, the government has gradually eased restrictions that were in place for a few months to contain the spread of COVID-19. We have seen life claw its way back, with people returning to offices, places of worship and shopping malls under stringent health protocols.
Unlike never before, people on the go are wearing masks, staying at least 1 meter away one from another and avoiding handshakes, not to mention forgoing hugs and cheek-to-cheek kisses. The “new normal” is what people must adapt to in order to survive.
The disease has so far sickened more than 43,800 people, killing over 2,300 of them. The country’s testing capability has improved, resulting in a sharp rise in the number of people who have tested positive, but the spike also shows the virus is far from under control.
The “new normal” should therefore never erase the idea that the virus is everywhere and remains a threat to our lives. Children are at risk as well, even though studies have found age increases the possibility of getting infected.
Home learning, in spite of its imperfections, has helped protect children from virus transmission. Given the possibility that the relaxed restrictions can escalate the rate of infection, particularly if authorities fail to enforce the health protocols, the best policy is to maintain the existing learning mechanism.
As Nadiem said, the safety of schoolchildren cannot be compromised. Yet, the decision to reopen schools shows otherwise.
