TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Commission Head of the House of Representatives (DPR) overseeing education, Syaiful Huda, demanded Education and Culture Minister Nadiem Makarim to create a road map of distance learning program or PJJ, in which related to the availability of smartphones.

“How many students in Indonesia among the total 72 million who do not own a cell phone? How many students have a smartphone but do not have an internet quota? How many schools that cannot conduct PJJ? And other questions,” said Syaiful in his statement on Sunday, July 26.

The problem with online learning, he opined, was that many children found difficulties in following such an education program as they lacked the needed facilities and infrastructures.

“It surely happens like that. Some children do not have a smartphone, then they go to an internet cafe and do their school tasks with friends, which leads to a violation of the protocols of physical distancing, and some even may not wear face masks,” said Syaiful.

The Indonesian Teacher Unions Federation (FSGI) made similar statements. Reports of the online learning program in the second phase or first semester of the academic year 2020-2021 showed obstacles that many students did not have a smartphone. Not only those in regions but also Jakarta Greater Area (Jabodetabek).

“It is not only about the limited access to the internet and electricity but also the ownership of smart devices,” said the FSGI Sec-Gen Deputy Satriawan Salim on Thursday, July 23.

Read also: Nadiem Makarim's Notes on New School Year that Starts Today

ANTARA