KPAI Finds Remote Learning Helped Increase Dropouts, Child Marriages
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17 February 2021 13:07 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Child Protection Commission (KPAI) on Wednesday found that the Covid-19 pandemic and the remote learning policy had sparked an increase in students who could not continue school and the number of child marriage.
"Based on our findings there are 119 male and female students aged around 15-18 years old who ended up in marriage," KPAI commissioner Retno Listyarti wrote in a statement on February 17.
The commission's study was held in 8 provinces, mainly in the provinces of Java, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), and Bengkulu.
Those who are not able to continue school were caused by a number of reasons such as the lack of online schooling support devices and the inability to pay for internet services that is crucial in partaking online classes.
KPAI also collected the data on the students’ parents and their main sources of income which found that most work in the informal economy sector such as parking attendants, car wash services, automotive shop mechanics, printing, and house maids.
This had them urge the Education and Culture Ministry and education institutions to immediately map out children facing similar situations in their study and distribute government aid in the form of mobile devices to support online remote learning.
Also Read: Jakarta Schools Continue Remote Learning, Plan Blended Learning System
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