TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The deputy secretary of the Indonesian Teachers Association (PGRI), Jejen Musfah, on Sunday contends that epidemiology-based data must be the forefront in considering next year’s reopening of classroom schooling.

Musfah also said that the country’s health agency and regional COVID-19 task forces need to be closely involved in the ambitious plan. “In its principle, [classroom schooling] can be reintroduced as long as health protocols are abided by,” said Jejen to Tempo on November 22.

The key aspects that are needed in preparing this plan are schools’ readiness to commit to health protocols and schools’ committees that represent the students’ parents.

He made it clear that school headmasters are responsible to lead the new schooling model that combines the two types of schooling to continue suppressing the risk of coronavirus infections; remote studying and limited duration and capacity of classroom schooling.

School management must also assist the COVID-19 task force in enforcing the protocols implemented by teachers, staff,, and students throughout the process.

THe PGRI secretary opines that schools must also ensure the availability of face masks, adequate self-hygiene facilities, and sufficient running water for students to constantly wash their hands.

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IMAM HAMDI