Dewi Julia, the mother of a 15-year-old high school student in Jakarta, criticized how the government had rushed the decision without prior briefing of school administrations, teachers and parents.

Last week, the government gave the power to local administrations, school administrations and parents to decide whether their schools should reopen for in-classroom learning regardless of the risk level of COVID-19 infection in their region, including in high risk regions known as red zones. It is a major departure from the previous school reopening policy set out in June that allows only schools in regions with either low COVID-19 risk or no cases at all to reopen.

“We think it's too rushed. There should have been information for teachers, parents and students about the dos and don'ts in November, followed by a simulation and open discussion. But parents are still left in the dark," Dewi, a member of the Students' Parents Forum, said.

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Despite remote learning being criticized for taking a mental health toll on both children and parents, particularly amid the absence of adequate teaching methods, she said children’s health was of utmost importance.

“We can always catch up on school courses and make up for lost time, but there is no tolerance for putting public health at risk,” she said.