Education Minister Nadiem Makarim Plans to Open Schools in July 2021

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Education and Cultural Affairs Minister Nadiem Makarim in an online discussion in early March announced that the Education Ministry is eyeing to take schooling back into classrooms for in-person schooling in July of 2021. 

The government had mandated online schooling in July of last year after the Covid-19 pandemic struck Indonesia. 

“Our goal is at the end of June where Covid-19 vaccinations for 5 million teachers and school personnel is done. This will establish the 2021/2022 school year in the second and third week of July will be conducted in classrooms,” said Nadiem Makarim in the online discussion.

The initial plan is to conduct the classroom schooling with a rotational attendance system with 50 percent of students physically attending school - under strict Covid-19 health protocols - while the rest would undergo online schooling. 

“This STM [in-person schooling] system is permitted but not required. The decision lies in the hands of the regional government, headmaster, and students' parents that are done through a school committee,” said Nadiem Makarim. 

Filling schools with physical attendance is also acknowledged by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo who is also eyeing to see traditional schooling begin in July, which is why he once stated that the vaccinations of teachers and school employees are the main priority in succeeding this plan. 

Read: Covid-19 Task Force: School Reopening Will Depend on Risk Zone Map

GERIN RIO PRANATA