Nadiem Makarim Talks of 2020 National Exam, Coronavirus

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Education and Culture Minister Nadiem Makarim explained the government has eventually decided to abort the 2020 National Examination or UN in consideration of the high risk of the coronavirus contagion.

"[The UN] may pose enormous health risks, not only to students but also to their families and grandparents," said Nadiem during a press conference today, March 24.

Nadiem underlined that the exam cancellation was for the sake of the students’ health and security. The decision was made during today’s limited meeting with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and ministers, he added.

President Jokowi mentioned in the session that some 8.3 million students from 106.000 educational institutions across the country are supposed to take the national exam, which is about to run next week for senior high school students and in early April for junior high school students.

Besides, Nadiem remarked that the exam had no longer been a requirement for the graduation or selection test for higher education. "After weighing the pros and cons, we think there are more risks than benefits if we continue the UN implementations," he said.

Nevertheless, the GOJEK founder mentioned that schools could hold their own examinations that must be conducted online, instead of face-to-face tests. The schools could also determine students’ graduation through their grades for the last five semesters.

Nadiem Makarim further claimed that he understood if the schools did not complete their learning programs of the last semester due to the coronavirus pandemic. “We don’t force schools to pass the curriculum achievement standards,” he said.

BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI