Distance Learning, Nadiem Makarim: The Effects are Negative and Permanent

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Minister of Education and Culture Nadiem Makarim said the government will begin to open face-to-face learning in schools in the Covid-19 yellow zone. This step was taken as a form of government anticipation to reduce the adverse effects of distance learning (PJJ) for children.

According to Nadiem, a lot of research shows that in disaster situations that require PJJ, there are negative effects on children. Even these effects can persist if no action is taken.

“For students, the effects can be very negative and permanent,” said Nadiem in a press conference, Friday, August 7, 2020.

The first impact, he said, was the threat of school dropouts. He says many children are forced to work due to various factors. Starting from PJJ which is not maximal to the absence of PJJ support facilities. In addition, there are also some perceptions of parents that have also changed, regarding the role of schools in the learning process because PJJ is not maximal.

“Until the threat of this school drop is something real and it could have a lifelong impact on our children, “said Nadiem.

Further, is the threat of declining student access. Nadiem said that during PJJ, the quality gap between those who have access to technology and those who do not is widening.

“We are at risk of having learning loss, lost generation, where the permanent impact on our generation, especially those who are still young,” said Nadiem.

The final threat is the increase in violence against children during PJJ. In addition, children also have psychosocial risks, due to constant stress at home and not being able to meet friends.

But on the other hand, Nadiem acknowledged that the health and safety factors of children were equally important. Therefore, government education policies must be multidimensional. On that basis, Ministry of Education and Culture along with the related ministries to decide 2 things.

“The first is the expansion of face-to-face learning in the yellow zone. The second is launching an emergency curriculum to provide flexibility for all students and teachers, simplification and specific assistance to be able to do and optimize PJJ,” said Nadiem.

–