DPR Asks Nadiem Makarim to Consider School Closure over Covid-19

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The House of Representatives (DPR) Commission X member Irine Yusiana Roba Putri suggested Education and Culture Minister Nadiem Makarim considers a variety of scenarios as the mitigation program of the coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic for schools and universities.

“Such acts of mitigation do not mean a panic,” said Irine in a press release received in Jakarta, Thursday, March 12.

Indonesia, she opined, had long applied disaster mitigation programs including for earthquakes that could be implemented for non-natural disasters such as corona pandemic by changing physical classes to online classes or homework.

The PDIP faction member also urged Nadiem to prepare closure of schools and universities if the pandemic worsens. Moreover, several international schools in Jakarta had changed its education system to online classes as adopted by several educational institutions abroad.

“I believe that as an innovator, Pak Nadiem can create such educational innovation,” Irene remarked.

She went on to say that the minister should also prepare the scenario for schools and universities located outside Java island, such as those in the country’s eastern regions that lacked technology infrastructure.

According to Irine, one of the vital things to do is preventing the COVID-19 from further spreading in the country.

“That’s why many countries impose a lockdown or quarantine, minimize events that gather many people, and so on. Those are not panic, but logic moves to conduct,” said Irine, adding that her inputs were in line with President Jokowi’s instruction in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

ANTARA